Suspended Microbubbles With Ultrasound Visualization and Sustained Drug Release Properties for Enhancing...

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), a multifocal diffuse lesion from peritoneal metastasis, is commonly treated with intraperitoneal perfusion therapy. This treatment infuses drugs directly into the peritoneal cavity to enable direct contact with and killing of tumor cells. However, its efficacy is limited by rapid drug metabolism and short effective duration. To address this limitation, researchers have explored various drug delivery systems but the limited efficacy of local scaffold treatments has hindered tumor eradication. In response, this study developed a drug delivery system based on suspended microbubbles (MBs). These suspended MBs exhibit a saline-similar density, enabling suspension and uniform distribution within the peritoneal cavity. Additionally, the MBs possess ultrasound-enhanced contrast performance, allowing real-time monitoring of their distribution. The 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)-loaded suspended MBs (5-Fu-MBs) sustained the release of the drug and extended the duration of drug action after ultrasound-guided intraperitoneal perfusion. In animal experiments, 5-Fu-MB perfusion demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy and lower biotoxicity compared to conventional 5-Fu solution. The results suggest that, owing to their unique suspension stability, excellent ultrasound-enhanced contrast performance, and sustained drug release capability, the 5-Fu-MBs are not only suitable for treating PC, but also hold potential for localized precision diagnosis and therapy in other body cavities.