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Falatah HA, Lacerda Q, Wessner CE, Lo S, Wheatley MA, Liu JB, Eisenbrey JR. Influence of Phase Change Droplet Activation and Microbubble Cavitation on the Microenvironment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2024; 50:1387-1394. [PMID: 38876912 PMCID: PMC11298311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Both microbubble ultrasound contrast agents and acoustic phase change droplets (APCD) have been explored in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This work aimed to evaluate changes to the HCC microenvironment following either microbubble or APCD destruction in a syngeneic pre-clinical model. METHODS Mouse RIL-175 HCC tumors were grown in the right flank of 64 immunocompetent mice. Pre-treatment, photoacoustic volumetric tumor oxygenation, and power Doppler measurements were obtained using a Vevo 3100 system (VisualSonics, Toronto, Canada). The experimental groups received a 0.1 mL bolus injection of either Definity ultrasound contrast agent (Lantheus Medical Imaging) or APCD fabricated by condensing Definity. Following injection, ultrasound destruction was performed using flash-replenishment sequences on a Sequoia with a 10L4 probe (Siemens) for the duration of enhancement. Tumor oxygenation and power Doppler measurements were then repeated immediately post-ultrasound treatment. Twenty-four hours post-treatment, animals were euthanized, and tumors were harvested and stained for CD31, Cleaved Caspase 3 and CD45. RESULTS Imaging biomarkers demonstrated a significant reduction in percent vascularity following either microbubble or APCD destruction in the tumor microenvironment ( p < 0.022) but no significant changes in tumor oxygenation (p = 0.12). Similarly, immunohistochemistry data demonstrated a significant decrease in CD31 expression (p < 0.042) and an increase in apoptosis (p < 0.014) in tumors treated with destroyed microbubbles or APCD relative to controls. Finally, a significant increase in CD45 expression was observed in tumors treated with APCD (p = 0.046), indicating an increase in tumor immune response. CONCLUSION Ultrasound-triggered destruction of both microbubbles and APCD reduces vascularity, increases apoptosis, and may also increase immune response in this HCC model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hebah A Falatah
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; College of Applied Medical Sciences King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Quezia Lacerda
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Corinne E Wessner
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Standley Lo
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margaret A Wheatley
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ji-Bin Liu
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John R Eisenbrey
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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2
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Wu Q, Choi V, Bau L, Carugo D, Evans ND, Stride E. Investigation of Ultrasound Mediated Extravasation of a Model Drug by Perfluorobutane Nanodroplets. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2024:S0301-5629(24)00262-X. [PMID: 39060156 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Perfluorocarbon nanodroplets (NDs) have been widely investigated as both diagnostic and therapeutic agents. There remains, however, a challenge in generating NDs that do not vaporize spontaneously but can be activated at ultrasound pressures that do not produce unwanted bioeffects. In previous work, it has been shown that phospholipid-coated perfluorobutane (PFB) NDs can potentially overcome this challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these NDs can promote drug delivery. METHODS A combination of high-speed optical imaging and passive cavitation detection was used to study the acoustic properties of the PFB-NDs in a tissue mimicking phantom. PFB-NDs were exposed to ultrasound at frequencies from 0.5 to 1.5 MHz and peak negative pressures from 0.5 to 3.5 MPa. In addition, the penetration depth of two model drugs (Nile Red and 200 nm diameter fluorescent polymer spheres) into the phantom was measured. RESULTS PFB NDs were found to be stable in aqueous suspension at both 4°C and 37°C; their size remaining unchanged at 215 ± 11 nm over 24 h. Penetration of both model drugs in the phantom was found to increase with increasing ultrasound peak negative pressure and decreasing frequency and was found to be positively correlated with the energy of acoustic emissions. Extravasation depths >1 mm were observed at 0.5 MHz with pressures <1 MPa. CONCLUSION The results of the study thus suggest that PFB NDs can be used both as drug carriers and as nuclei for cavitation to enhance drug delivery without the need for high intensity ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Victor Choi
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Luca Bau
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Dario Carugo
- Botnar Institute for Musculoskeletal Sciences, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas D Evans
- Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Bone and Joint Research Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Bioengineering Sciences Group, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Eleanor Stride
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Botnar Institute for Musculoskeletal Sciences, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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3
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Shakya G, Cattaneo M, Guerriero G, Prasanna A, Fiorini S, Supponen O. Ultrasound-responsive microbubbles and nanodroplets: A pathway to targeted drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 206:115178. [PMID: 38199257 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Ultrasound-responsive agents have shown great potential as targeted drug delivery agents, effectively augmenting cell permeability and facilitating drug absorption. This review focuses on two specific agents, microbubbles and nanodroplets, and provides a sequential overview of their drug delivery process. Particular emphasis is given to the mechanical response of the agents under ultrasound, and the subsequent physical and biological effects on the cells. Finally, the state-of-the-art in their pre-clinical and clinical implementation are discussed. Throughout the review, major challenges that need to be overcome in order to accelerate their clinical translation are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gazendra Shakya
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Marco Cattaneo
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Guerriero
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Anunay Prasanna
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Samuele Fiorini
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Outi Supponen
- Institute of Fluid Dynamics, D-MAVT, Sonneggstrasse 3, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland.
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4
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Pellow C, Jafari Sojahrood A, Zhao X, Kolios MC, Exner AA, Goertz DE. Synchronous Intravital Imaging and Cavitation Monitoring of Antivascular Focused Ultrasound in Tumor Microvasculature Using Monodisperse Low Boiling Point Nanodroplets. ACS NANO 2024; 18:410-427. [PMID: 38147452 PMCID: PMC10786165 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c07711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Focused ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles can induce blood flow shutdown and ischemic necrosis at higher pressures in an approach termed antivascular ultrasound. Combined with conventional therapies of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy, this approach has demonstrated tumor growth inhibition and profound synergistic antitumor effects. However, the lower cavitation threshold of microbubbles can potentially yield off-target damage that the polydispersity of clinical agent may further exacerbate. Here we investigate the use of a monodisperse nanodroplet formulation for achieving antivascular effects in tumors. We first develop stable low boiling point monodisperse lipid nanodroplets and examine them as an alternative agent to mediate antivascular ultrasound. With synchronous intravital imaging and ultrasound monitoring of focused ultrasound-stimulated nanodroplets in tumor microvasculature, we show that nanodroplets can trigger blood flow shutdown and do so with a sharper pressure threshold and with fewer additional events than conventionally used microbubbles. We further leverage the smaller size and prolonged pharmacokinetic profile of nanodroplets to allow for potential passive accumulation in tumor tissue prior to antivascular ultrasound, which may be a means by which to promote selective tumor targeting. We find that vascular shutdown is accompanied by inertial cavitation and complex-order sub- and ultraharmonic acoustic signatures, presenting an opportunity for effective feedback control of antivascular ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Pellow
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Amin Jafari Sojahrood
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto M5B 2K3, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), a partnership between St. Michael's Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhao
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Michael C Kolios
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto M5B 2K3, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), a partnership between St. Michael's Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Agata A Exner
- Department of Radiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - David E Goertz
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 1L7, Canada
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5
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Collado-Lara G, Heymans SV, Rovituso M, Sterpin E, D'hooge J, Vos HJ, Abeele KVD, de Jong N. Analytic prediction of droplet vaporization events to estimate the precision of ultrasound-based proton range verification. Med Phys 2023. [PMID: 36856326 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The safety and efficacy of proton therapy is currently hampered by range uncertainties. The combination of ultrasound imaging with injectable radiation-sensitive superheated nanodroplets was recently proposed for in vivo range verification. The proton range can be estimated from the distribution of nanodroplet vaporization events, which is stochastically related to the stopping distribution of protons, as nanodroplets are vaporized by protons reaching their maximal LET at the end of their range. PURPOSE Here, we aim to estimate the range estimation precision of this technique. As for any stochastic measurement, the precision will increase with the sample size, that is, the number of detected vaporizations. Thus, we first develop and validate a model to predict the number of vaporizations, which is then applied to estimate the range verification precision for a set of conditions (droplet size, droplet concentration, and proton beam parameters). METHODS Starting from the thermal spike theory, we derived a model that predicts the expected number of droplet vaporizations in an irradiated sample as a function of the droplet size, concentration, and number of protons. The model was validated by irradiating phantoms consisting of size-sorted perfluorobutane droplets dispersed in an aqueous matrix. The number of protons was counted with an ionization chamber, and the droplet vaporizations were recorded and counted individually using high frame rate ultrasound imaging. After validation, the range estimate precision was determined for different conditions using a Monte Carlo algorithm. RESULTS A good agreement between theory and experiments was observed for the number of vaporizations, especially for large (5.8 ± 2.2 µm) and medium (3.5 ± 1.1 µm) sized droplets. The number of events was lower than expected in phantoms with small droplets (2.0 ± 0.7 µm), but still within the same order of magnitude. The inter-phantom variability was considerably larger (up to 30x) than predicted by the model. The validated model was then combined with Monte Carlo simulations, which predicted a theoretical range retrieval precision improving with the square-root of the number of vaporizations, and degrading at high beam energies due to range straggling. For single pencil beams with energies between 70 and 240 MeV, a range verification precision below 1% of the range required perfluorocarbon concentrations in the order of 0.3-2.4 µM. CONCLUSION We proposed and experimentally validated a model to provide a quick estimate of the number of vaporizations for a given set of conditions (droplet size, droplet concentration, and proton beam parameters). From this model, promising range verification performances were predicted for realistic perfluorocarbon concentrations. These findings are an incentive to move towards preclinical studies, which are critical to assess the achievable droplet distribution in and around the tumor, and hence the in vivo range verification precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Collado-Lara
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie V Heymans
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Physics, KU Leuven Campus Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Leuven KU, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Edmond Sterpin
- Department of Oncology, Leuven KU, Leuven, Belgium.,Center of Molecular Imaging, Radiotherapy and Oncology, IREC Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jan D'hooge
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Leuven KU, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hendrik J Vos
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nico de Jong
- Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Fan CH, Ho YJ, Lin CW, Wu N, Chiang PH, Yeh CK. State-of-the-art of ultrasound-triggered drug delivery from ultrasound-responsive drug carriers. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2022; 19:997-1009. [PMID: 35930441 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2022.2110585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The development of new tools to locally and non-invasively transferring therapeutic substances at the desired site in deep living tissue has been a long sought-after goal within the drug delivery field. Among the established methods, ultrasound (US) with US-responsive carriers holds great promise and demonstrates on-demand delivery of a variety of functional substances with spatial precision of several millimeters in deep-seated tissues in animal models and humans. These properties have motivated several explorations of US with US responsive carriers as a modality for neuromodulation and the treatment of various diseases, such as stroke and cancer. AREAS COVERED This article briefly discussed three specific mechanisms that enhance in vivo drug delivery via US with US-responsive carriers: 1) permeabilizing cellular membrane, 2) increasing the permeability of vessels, and 3) promoting cellular endocytotic uptake. Besides, a series of US-responsive drug carriers are discussed, with an emphasis on the relation between structural feature and therapeutic outcome. EXPERT OPINION This article summarized current development for each of US-responsive drug carrier, focusing on the routes of enhancing delivery and applications. The mechanisms of interaction between US-responsive carriers and US energy, such as cavitation, hyperthermia, and reactive oxygen species, as well as how these interactions can improve drug delivery into target cell/tissue. It can be expected that there are serval efforts to further identification of US-responsive particles, design of novel US waveform sequence, and survey of optimal combination between US parameters and US-responsive carriers for better controlling the spatiotemporal drug release profile, stability, and safety in vivo. The authors believe these will provide novel tools for precisely designing treatment strategies and significantly benefit the clinical management of several diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hsiang Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ju Ho
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Nan Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hua Chiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Kuang Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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7
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Lea-Banks H, Wu SK, Lee H, Hynynen K. Ultrasound-triggered oxygen-loaded nanodroplets enhance and monitor cerebral damage from sonodynamic therapy. Nanotheranostics 2022; 6:376-387. [PMID: 35795341 PMCID: PMC9254362 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.71946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In sonodynamic therapy, cellular toxicity from sonosensitizer drugs, such as 5-aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (5-ALA), may be triggered with focused ultrasound through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we show that by increasing local oxygen during treatment, using oxygen-loaded perfluorocarbon nanodroplets (250 +/- 8 nm), we can increase the damage induced by 5-ALA, and monitor the severity by recording acoustic emissions in the brain. To achieve this, we sonicated the right striatum of 16 healthy rats after an intravenous dose of 5-ALA (200 mg/kg), followed by saline, nanodroplets, or oxygen-loaded nanodroplets. We assessed haemorrhage, edema and cell apoptosis immediately following, 24 hr, and 48 hr after focused ultrasound treatment. The localized volume of damaged tissue was significantly enhanced by the presence of oxygen-loaded nanodroplets, compared to ultrasound with unloaded nanodroplets (3-fold increase), and ultrasound alone (40-fold increase). Sonicating 1 hr following 5-ALA injection was found to be more potent than 2 hr following 5-ALA injection (2-fold increase), and the severity of tissue damage corresponded to the acoustic emissions from droplet vaporization. Enhancing the local damage from 5-ALA with monitored cavitation activity and additional oxygen could have significant implications in the treatment of atherosclerosis and non-invasive ablative surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet Lea-Banks
- Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sheng-Kai Wu
- Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hannah Lee
- Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kullervo Hynynen
- Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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8
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Li CH, Chang YC, Hsiao M, Chan MH. Ultrasound and Nanomedicine for Cancer-Targeted Drug Delivery: Screening, Cellular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1282. [PMID: 35745854 PMCID: PMC9229768 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease characterized by abnormal cell growth. According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. It should be noted that ultrasound is already widely used as a diagnostic procedure for detecting tumorigenesis. In addition, ultrasound energy can also be utilized effectively for treating cancer. By filling the interior of lipospheres with gas molecules, these particles can serve both as contrast agents for ultrasonic imaging and as delivery systems for drugs such as microbubbles and nanobubbles. Therefore, this review aims to describe the nanoparticle-assisted drug delivery system and how it can enhance image analysis and biomedicine. The formation characteristics of nanoparticles indicate that they will accumulate at the tumor site upon ultrasonic imaging, in accordance with their modification characteristics. As a result of changing the accumulation of materials, it is possible to examine the results by comparing images of other tumor cell lines. It is also possible to investigate ultrasound images for evidence of cellular effects. In combination with a precision ultrasound imaging system, drug-carrying lipospheres can precisely track tumor tissue and deliver drugs to tumor cells to enhance the ability of this nanocomposite to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hsiu Li
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Chan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Michael Hsiao
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan;
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsien Chan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan;
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9
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Heymans SV, Collado-Lara G, Rovituso M, Vos HJ, D'hooge J, de Jong N, Van Abeele KD. Acoustic Modulation Enables Proton Detection With Nanodroplets at Body Temperature. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2022; 69:2028-2038. [PMID: 35385380 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2022.3164805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Superheated nanodroplet (ND) vaporization by proton radiation was recently demonstrated, opening the door to ultrasound-based in vivo proton range verification. However, at body temperature and physiological pressures, perfluorobutane nanodroplets (PFB-NDs), which offer a good compromise between stability and radiation sensitivity, are not directly sensitive to primary protons. Instead, they are vaporized by infrequent secondary particles, which limits the precision for range verification. The radiation-induced vaporization threshold (i.e., sensitization threshold) can be reduced by lowering the pressure in the droplet such that ND vaporization by primary protons can occur. Here, we propose to use an acoustic field to modulate the pressure, intermittently lowering the proton sensitization threshold of PFB-NDs during the rarefactional phase of the ultrasound wave. Simultaneous proton irradiation and sonication with a 1.1 MHz focused transducer, using increasing peak negative pressures (PNPs), were applied on a dilution of PFB-NDs flowing in a tube, while vaporization was acoustically monitored with a linear array. Sensitization to primary protons was achieved at temperatures between [Formula: see text] and 40 °C using acoustic PNPs of relatively low amplitude (from 800 to 200 kPa, respectively), while sonication alone did not lead to ND vaporization at those PNPs. Sensitization was also measured at the clinically relevant body temperature (i.e., 37 °C) using a PNP of 400 kPa. These findings confirm that acoustic modulation lowers the sensitization threshold of superheated NDs, enabling a direct proton response at body temperature.
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10
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Burgess MT, Aliabouzar M, Aguilar C, Fabiilli ML, Ketterling JA. Slow-Flow Ultrasound Localization Microscopy Using Recondensation of Perfluoropentane Nanodroplets. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:743-759. [PMID: 35125244 PMCID: PMC8983467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is an emerging, super-resolution imaging technique for detailed mapping of the microvascular structure and flow velocity via subwavelength localization and tracking of microbubbles. Because microbubbles rely on blood flow for movement throughout the vascular space, acquisition times can be long in the smallest, low-flow microvessels. In addition, detection of microbubbles in low-flow regions can be difficult because of minimal separation of microbubble signal from tissue. Nanoscale, phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) have emerged as a switchable, intermittent or persisting contrast agent for ULM via acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV). Here, the focus is on characterizing the spatiotemporal contrast properties of less volatile perfluoropentane (PFP) PCCAs. The results indicate that at physiological temperature, nanoscale PFP PCCAs with diameters less than 100 nm disappear within microseconds after ADV with high-frequency ultrasound (16 MHz, 5- to 6-MPa peak negative pressure) and that nanoscale PFP PCCAs have an inherent deactivation mechanism via immediate recondensation after ADV. This "blinking" on-and-off contrast signal allowed separation of flow in an in vitro flow phantom, regardless of flow conditions, although with a need for some replenishment at very low flow conditions to maintain count rate. This blinking behavior allows for rapid spatial mapping in areas of low or no flow with ULM, but limits velocity tracking because there is no stable bubble formation with nanoscale PFP PCCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark T Burgess
- Lizzi Center for Biomedical Engineering, Riverside Research, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Mitra Aliabouzar
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Christian Aguilar
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mario L Fabiilli
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Ketterling
- Lizzi Center for Biomedical Engineering, Riverside Research, New York, New York, USA
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11
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Durham PG, Dayton PA. Applications of sub-micron low-boiling point phase change contrast agents for ultrasound imaging and therapy. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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12
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Ho YJ, Huang CC, Fan CH, Liu HL, Yeh CK. Ultrasonic technologies in imaging and drug delivery. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6119-6141. [PMID: 34297166 PMCID: PMC11072106 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03904-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasonic technologies show great promise for diagnostic imaging and drug delivery in theranostic applications. The development of functional and molecular ultrasound imaging is based on the technical breakthrough of high frame-rate ultrasound. The evolution of shear wave elastography, high-frequency ultrasound imaging, ultrasound contrast imaging, and super-resolution blood flow imaging are described in this review. Recently, the therapeutic potential of the interaction of ultrasound with microbubble cavitation or droplet vaporization has become recognized. Microbubbles and phase-change droplets not only provide effective contrast media, but also show great therapeutic potential. Interaction with ultrasound induces unique and distinguishable biophysical features in microbubbles and droplets that promote drug loading and delivery. In particular, this approach demonstrates potential for central nervous system applications. Here, we systemically review the technological developments of theranostic ultrasound including novel ultrasound imaging techniques, the synergetic use of ultrasound with microbubbles and droplets, and microbubble/droplet drug-loading strategies for anticancer applications and disease modulation. These advancements have transformed ultrasound from a purely diagnostic utility into a promising theranostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ju Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chung Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsiang Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Li Liu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chih-Kuang Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
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Qin D, Zou Q, Lei S, Wang W, Li Z. Predicting initial nucleation events occurred in a metastable nanodroplet during acoustic droplet vaporization. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2021; 75:105608. [PMID: 34119737 PMCID: PMC8207230 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) capable of converting liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) micro/nanodroplets into gaseous microbubbles has gained much attention due to its medical potentials. However, its physical mechanisms for nanodroplets have not been well understood due to the disappeared superharmonic focusing effect and the prominent Laplace pressure compared to microdroplets, especially for the initial ADV nucleation occurring in a metastable PFC nanodroplet. The classical nucleation theory (CNT) was modified to describe the ADV nucleation via combining the phase-change thermodynamics of perfluoropentane (PFP) and the Laplace pressure effect on PFP nanodroplets. The thermodynamics was exactly predicted by the Redlich-Kwong equation of state (EoS) rather than the van der Waals EoS, based on which the surface tension of the vapor nucleus as a crucial parameter in the CNT was successfully obtained to modify the CNT. Compared to the CNT, the modified CNT eliminated the intrinsic limitations of the CNT, and it predicted a larger nucleation rate and a lower ADV nucleation threshold, which agree much better with experimental results. Furthermore, it indicated that the nanodroplet properties exert very strong influences on the nucleation threshold instead of the acoustic parameters, providing a potential strategy with an appropriate droplet design to reduce the ADV nucleation threshold. This study may contribute to further understanding the ADV mechanism for PFC nanodroplets and promoting its potential theranostic applications in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dui Qin
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China.
| | - Qingqin Zou
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China
| | - Shuang Lei
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China
| | - Zhangyong Li
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China.
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14
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Harnessing ultrasound-stimulated phase change contrast agents to improve antibiotic efficacy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Biofilm 2021; 3:100049. [PMID: 34124645 PMCID: PMC8173270 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2021.100049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms, often associated with chronic infections, respond poorly to antibiotic therapy and frequently require surgical intervention. Biofilms harbor persister cells, metabolically indolent cells, which are tolerant to most conventional antibiotics. In addition, the biofilm matrix can act as a physical barrier, impeding diffusion of antibiotics. Novel therapeutic approaches frequently improve biofilm killing, but usually fail to achieve eradication. Failure to eradicate the biofilm leads to chronic and relapsing infection, is associated with major financial healthcare costs and significant morbidity and mortality. We address this problem with a two-pronged strategy using 1) antibiotics that target persister cells and 2) ultrasound-stimulated phase-change contrast agents (US-PCCA), which improve antibiotic penetration. We previously demonstrated that rhamnolipids, produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, could induce aminoglycoside uptake in gram-positive organisms, leading to persister cell death. We have also shown that US-PCCA can transiently disrupt biological barriers to improve penetration of therapeutic macromolecules. We hypothesized that combining antibiotics which target persister cells with US-PCCA to improve drug penetration could improve treatment of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) biofilms. Aminoglycosides alone or in combination with US-PCCA displayed limited efficacy against MRSA biofilms. In contrast, the anti-persister combination of rhamnolipids and aminoglycosides combined with US-PCCA dramatically improved biofilm killing. This novel treatment strategy has the potential for rapid clinical translation as the PCCA formulation is a variant of FDA-approved ultrasound contrast agents that are already in clinical practice and the low-pressure ultrasound settings used in our study can be achieved with existing ultrasound hardware at pressures below the FDA set limits for diagnostic imaging.
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15
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Borden MA, Shakya G, Upadhyay A, Song KH. Acoustic Nanodrops for Biomedical Applications. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 50:101383. [PMID: 33100885 PMCID: PMC7581261 DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic nanodrops are designed to vaporize into ultrasound-responsive microbubbles, which presents certain challenges nonexistent for conventional nano-emulsions. The requirements of biocompatibility, vaporizability and colloidal stability has focused research on perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Shorter PFCs yield better vaporizability via their lower critical temperature, but they also dissolve more easily owing to their higher vapor pressure and solubility. Thus, acoustic nanodrops have required a tradeoff between vaporizability and colloidal stability in vivo. The recent advent of vaporizable endoskeletal droplets, which are both stable and vaporizable, may have solved this problem. The purpose of this review is to justify this premise by pointing out the beneficial properties of acoustic nanodrops, providing an analysis of vaporization and dissolution mechanisms, and reviewing current biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Borden
- Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - Gazendra Shakya
- Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - Awaneesh Upadhyay
- Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - Kang-Ho Song
- Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
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