Open AccessNanoparticle‐stabilized microbubbles for multimodal imaging and drug delivery
Author(s) -
Mørch Ýrr,
Hansen Rune,
Berg Sigrid,
Åslund Andreas K. O.,
Glomm Wilhelm R.,
Eggen Siv,
Schmid Ruth,
Johnsen Heidi,
Kubowicz Stephan,
Snipstad Sofie,
Sulheim Einar,
Hak Sjoerd,
Singh Gurvinder,
McDonagh Birgitte H.,
Blom Hans,
Davies Catharina,
Stenstad Per M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
contrast media & molecular imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.714
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1555-4317
pISSN - 1555-4309
DOI - 10.1002/cmmi.1639
Subject(s) - microbubbles , drug delivery , nanoparticle , drug , nanotechnology , targeted drug delivery , biomedical engineering , materials science , medicine , radiology , ultrasound , pharmacology
Microbubbles (MBs) are routinely used as contrast agents for ultrasound imaging. The use of ultrasound in combination with MBs has also attracted attention as a method to enhance drug delivery. We have developed a technology platform incorporating multiple functionalities, including imaging and therapy in a single system consisting of MBs stabilized by polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐coated polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs, containing lipophilic drugs and/or contrast agents, are composed of the widely used poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) (PBCA) polymer and prepared in a single step. MBs stabilized by these NPs are subsequently prepared by self‐assembly of NPs at the MB air–liquid interface. Here we show that these MBs can act as contrast agents for conventional ultrasound imaging. Successful encapsulation of iron oxide NPs inside the PBCA NPs is demonstrated, potentially enabling the NP–MBs to be used as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or molecular ultrasound imaging contrast agents. By precise tuning of the applied ultrasound pulse, the MBs burst and the NPs constituting the shell are released. This could result in increased local deposit of NPs into target tissue, providing improved therapy and imaging contrast compared with freely distributed NPs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.