Advances in ultrasound-assisted drug delivery and clinical application

Ultrasound (US) is a non-invasive physical stimulus  characterized by high spatiotemporal precision and deep tissue penetration, offering distinct advantages for drug delivery applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances and future directions in ultrasound-assisted drug delivery (USADD) for diseases treatment. It systematically summarizes the fundamental mechanisms of USADD, including thermal effects, cavitation effects, and mechanical effects, and examines the design strategies of US-responsive carrier materials such as microbubbles, liposomes, polymeric micelles. Particular emphasis is placed on the therapeutic applications of USADD in a wide range of diseases, including tissue regeneration, cancer therapy, anti-infective therapies, cardiovascular disorders, immune-metabolic diseases, and conditions affecting the sensory organs. Finally, key challenges are discussed in clinical translation, including biosafety, carrier stability, and intelligent regulation, and future perspectives are outlined on the potential of USADD systems to achieve precise and personalized therapeutic interventions.