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Updated: Jun 9, 2026

A Comprehensive Procedure to Evaluate the In Vivo Performance of Cancer Nanomedicines
07:59

A Comprehensive Procedure to Evaluate the In Vivo Performance of Cancer Nanomedicines

Published on: March 4, 2017

Ultrasound-responsive drug nanocarriers in oncology: key determinants of therapeutic performance

Fahima Reete1, Zimei Wu1, Sachin S Thakur1

  • 1School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Journal of Liposome Research
|June 8, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Ultrasound offers precise, on-demand drug release from nanocarriers like liposomes for cancer therapy. This review covers mechanisms, carrier properties, and clinical potential of ultrasound-triggered drug delivery systems.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Liposomes and other nanocarriers are crucial for anticancer drug delivery.
  • On-demand drug release is essential for targeted cancer therapy.
  • Ultrasound is emerging as a precise stimulus for triggering drug release from carriers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the use of ultrasound to trigger drug release from micro- and nanocarriers in oncology.
  • To explore mechanisms, carrier properties, and promising cancer types for ultrasound-triggered delivery.
  • To summarize preclinical studies and discuss clinical translatability.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical studies on ultrasound-responsive carriers.
  • Analysis of mechanisms of ultrasound-triggered drug release.
  • Focus on lipid-based delivery systems and high-intensity focused ultrasound.

Main Results:

  • Ultrasound provides a practical and precise method for on-demand drug release.
  • Carrier composition and particle size influence ultrasound-triggered delivery efficiency.
  • Significant preclinical evidence supports the potential of US-responsive carriers in oncology.

Conclusions:

  • Ultrasound-triggered drug delivery holds promise for targeted cancer therapy.
  • Further research is needed to overcome barriers and advance clinical translation.
  • High-intensity focused ultrasound is a key technology for future drug delivery platforms.
Keywords:
Nanocarrierscancerliposomestargeted deliverytriggered releaseultrasound

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