Improved delivery of doxorubicin by altering the tumor microenvironment using ultrasound combined with microbubbles
Nina Xiao1, Jianhua Liu, Lianlian Liao
1Department of Medical Ultrasound, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510180, China.
Purpose:
To determine whether low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (US) using microbubbles (MB) can temporarily promote regional blood flow in the tumor and increase the delivery of doxorubicin (ad).
Methods:
We randomly divided 66 tumor-bearing rabbits into 6 groups (n=11/group). The 6 groups were as follows: doxorubicin and ultrasound combined with microbubble treatment group (Ad-US-MB treatment group), US-MB treatment group, US treatment group, MB treatment group, doxorubicin treatment group (Ad-treatment group), and control group. The animals were intravenously injected with doxorubicin hydrochloride; next, the tumors in the Ad-US-MB treatment group were subjected to low-intensity ultrasound with microbubbles for 10 min. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging of tumor tissues was performed before and after the intervention. Next, we randomly selected 8 rabbits/group, which were euthanized immediately after treatment. The remaining rabbits were reared and underwent the intervention every 7 days.
Results:
Tumor perfusion increased immediately in the Ad-US-MB treatment group (p<0.01). Unlike the Ad treatment group, the Ad-US-MB treatment group showed high levels of doxorubicin in the tumor samples (p<0.05). Immunofluorescent staining showed high levels of doxorubicin mainly around the blood vessels; in addition, doxorubicin was observed in other areas in the Ad-US-MB treatment group. Inhibition of tumor growth was observed in the Ad-US-MB treatment group.
Conclusions:
Low-intensity ultrasound combined with microbubbles and chemotherapy can alter the tumor microenvironment and temporarily increase the regional blood flow to the tumor.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The Tumor Microenvironment
Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
Altered States of Awareness
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
Alterations in Blood Pressure
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):


