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Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Contrast Ultrasound Targeted Treatment of Gliomas in Mice via Drug-Bearing Nanoparticle Delivery and Microvascular Ablation
Published on: December 15, 2010
US-triggered ultra-sensitive "thrombus constructor" for precise tumor therapy.
Yanjiang Shao1, Li Guo1, Airong Li2
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, PR China; Key laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Henan Province, PR China.
Ultrasound-responsive nanobubbles carrying thrombin enable precise tumor embolization. This novel therapy effectively destroys tumor cells with minimal impact on healthy tissues, offering a promising new approach for solid tumor treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Embolization therapy is a promising strategy for treating solid tumors.
- Achieving spatiotemporal control over in situ thrombus formation within tumors remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an ultrasound-responsive nanobubble system for targeted tumor embolization.
- To investigate the efficacy and safety of this system in vivo for antitumor therapy.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of an ultrasound-responsive ultra-sensitive "thrombus constructor" (UUNC) by loading thrombin into a nanobubble and surface modification with NGR peptide.
- In vivo administration of UUNC and application of transient ultrasound to trigger localized thrombus formation in tumor vessels.
- Evaluation of antitumor effects, including tumor cell apoptosis, necrosis, and tumor growth inhibition rate (TGI).
Main Results:
- UUNC demonstrated efficient accumulation in tumor vessels due to NGR peptide targeting.
- Ultrasound triggered rapid in situ thrombin release and thrombus formation specifically within tumor blood vessels.
- Significant tumor cell apoptosis and necrosis were observed, leading to an 85.3% tumor growth inhibition rate.
- The treatment showed high stability with no obvious thrombus formation in normal tissues.
Conclusions:
- The developed UUNC system enables spatiotemporal control of thrombus construction for effective tumor embolization therapy.
- This approach holds significant potential for solid tumor treatment by precisely targeting and occluding tumor vasculature.
- The NGR-peptide modified nanobubble system offers a safe and effective strategy for in vivo antitumor embolization.
