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Published on: June 12, 2021
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Ultrasound-Activated Nanomaterials for Therapeutics.
Juan L Paris1, María Vallet-Regí2,3
1Department of Life Sciences, Nano4Health Unit, Nanomedicine Group. International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal.
Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan
|December 9, 2024
Summary
Ultrasound can activate nanomaterials for targeted therapies. This review explores how ultrasound-responsive nanoparticles can induce drug release, generate biological effects, alter biodistribution, and create theranostic agents for advanced nanomedicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
Background:
- Ultrasound is a promising external stimulus for activating nanomaterials in therapy.
- Its non-invasive, focused application in deep body regions makes it ideal for nanomedicine.
- Ultrasound-responsive nanoparticles offer versatile therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of ultrasound-inducible responses in nanomedicine.
- To highlight four main types of applications: drug release, ultrasound-derived biological effects, biodistribution modification, and theranostic agents.
- To illustrate key concepts with recent examples in the field.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ultrasound-triggered nanomaterial applications.
- Categorization of inducible responses into four main types.
- Presentation of illustrative examples for each application category.
Main Results:
- Ultrasound can effectively trigger drug release from nanoparticles.
- Ultrasound can induce direct biological effects via nanoparticles.
- Nanoparticle biodistribution can be modulated using ultrasound.
- Development of ultrasound-responsive theranostic agents is feasible.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound-activated nanomaterials offer diverse therapeutic and diagnostic potential.
- The four discussed applications demonstrate the versatility of ultrasound in nanomedicine.
- Further research in this interdisciplinary field promises significant advancements.
