Dual-modality sonovue microbubbles integrating targeting-fluorescence and contrast-enhanced ultrasound for early...

Early and accurate tumor detection remains a major challenge in oncology. Here, we develop a tumor-targeted dual-modality imaging probe, SonoVue-DBCO-Cy5 (SDC), by embedding DBCO-modified Cy5 fluorophores into the lipid shell of clinically approved SonoVue® microbubbles. In tumor cells metabolically labeled with Ac₄ManNAz, azide-bearing glycans allow specific SDC recognition through copper-free strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC). The combined effects of SPAAC targeting and ultrasound-induced microbubble cavitation and sonoporation greatly enhance both fluorescence labeling and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) signals by increasing vascular permeability and promoting probe accumulation in tumor tissues. As a result, SDC achieves 2.6-fold higher tumor retention and enables tumor visualization about 36 h earlier than conventional CEUS alone. Together, these features make SDC a clinically translatable, bioorthogonal dual-modality imaging platform that integrates molecular targeting and cavitation synergy for real-time, non-radioactive early tumor diagnosis and image-guided therapy.