Therapeutic applications of microbubbles

• Published in: European journal of radiology Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 160 - 168
• Main Authors: Unger, Evan C., Matsunaga, Terry Onichi, McCreery, Thomas, Schumann, Patricia, Sweitzer, Robert, Quigley, Rachel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.05.2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Contrast Media; Diseases of the cardiovascular system; Drug Carriers; Drug delivery; Gene delivery; Genetic Therapy - instrumentation; Genetic Therapy - methods; Humans; Medical sciences; Microbubbles; Microspheres; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Therapy; Thrombolysis; Thrombolytic Therapy - methods; Thrombosis - diagnostic imaging; Thrombosis - therapy; Ultrasonic Therapy - methods; Ultrasonography; Ultrasound; Microbubbles; Therapy; Gene delivery; Drug delivery; Ultrasound; Thrombolysis; Human; Drug; Gene; Exploration; Technique; Acoustic cavitation; Gene therapy; Route of administration; Application; Vector; Fibrinolytic
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/S0720-048X(01)00455-7

Microbubbles, currently used as contrast agents have potential therapeutic applications. Microbubbles, upon insonation of sufficiently intense ultrasound will cavitate. Cavitation with microbubbles can be used to dissolve blood clots or deliver drugs. Targeting ligands and drugs can be incorporated into microbubbles to make highly specific diagnostic and therapeutic agents for activation with ultrasound. In this paper I will review some of these potential applications and experimental results using such agents for thrombolysis, drug and gene delivery.