A versatile method for the preparation of particle-loaded microbubbles for multimodality imaging and targeted drug delivery.

ABSTRACT: Microbubbles are currently in clinical use as ultrasound contrast agents and under active investigation as mediators of ultrasound therapy. To improve the theranostic potential of microbubbles, nanoparticles can be attached to the bubble shell for imaging, targeting and/or enhancement of acoustic response. Existing methods for fabricating particle-loaded bubbles, however, require the use of polymers, oil layers or chemical reactions for particle incorporation; embed/attach the particles that can reduce echogenicity; impair biocompatibility; and/or involve multiple processing steps. Here, we describe a simple method to embed nanoparticles in a phospholipid-coated microbubble formulation that overcomes these limitations. Magnetic nanoparticles are used to demonstrate the method with a range

SUBMITTER: Owen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5830459 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature