Recent advances in ultrasound microbubble-mediated gold-based nanomaterials for cancer theranostics

In the realm of oncology, precision cancer diagnosis and treatment is a current research emphasis and development trend. Its main objective is to accomplish closed-loop management of "early diagnosis - precise treatment - real-time monitoring" in order to increase the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment while lowering toxic and adverse therapeutic effects. Because of their special optical, electrical, and biocompatible benefits, gold-based nanomaterials have demonstrated wide application prospects in tumor imaging and treatment. Ultrasound microbubbles (UMBs) are a novel form of ultrasonic contrast agent and drug delivery vehicle with superior biocompatibility, ultrasonic responsiveness, and targeted modification potential. As powerful delivery vehicles, UMBs play an increasingly vital role in clinical theranostics by efficiently mediating the targeted delivery, controlled release, and synergistic therapeutic effects of gold-based nanomaterials. The varieties of UMBs, the categorization of gold-based nanomaterials, and the advancements in research on their applications in common malignancies are the main topics of this mini-review. Lastly, it provides pertinent references for the study and clinical applications of UMB-mediated gold-based nanomaterials in cancer diagnosis and treatment. It also briefly examines the present research prospects and obstacles and looks forward to future development paths.