Recent advances of metal-based sonosensitizers in cancer therapy

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as a promising cancer treatment modality, offering deep tissue targeting while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. By combining the deep tissue penetration ability of ultrasound (US) with the efficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), SDT overcomes the depth limitations of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and significantly enhances its tumor therapeutic potential. Compared with traditional sonosensitizers dominated by organic small molecules, metal-based sonosensitizers have developed rapidly in recent years due to their unique physicochemical properties and adjustable ultrasound kinetic activities, showing outstanding therapeutic advantages and application potential. In this review, we systematically examine recent advances in metal complexes based sonosensitizers, focusing on their design strategies and corresponding performance. Furthermore, we highlight their clinical anti-tumor applications and current limitations, providing valuable insights for the future research of metal-based sonosensitizers.