Ultrasound-Based Nanocarriers: Advances and Applications in Tumor Therapy
Ultrasound (US), known for its non-invasive nature and high tissue penetration, has demonstrated remarkable potential in medical diagnostic imaging and tumor therapy. Nanocarriers, through the use of nanomaterials, has exhibited significant advantages in targeted drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. The integration of these two technologies enables sensitive diagnose, precise drug release under ultrasound activation, enhancing comprehensive therapeutic efficacy, which make ultrasound-driven nanocarriers a hotspot in the field of tumor diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the biophysical effects of ultrasound and the advantages of ultrasound-driven nanocarriers. Subsequently, it systematically summarizes the classification of ultrasound-based nanocarriers, including both organic and inorganic carriers. Furthermore, the article elaborates in detail on the applications of ultrasound-mediated nanocarriers systems in oncology, including ultrasound-enhanced nanocarriers systems for imaging applications, sonodynamic therapy (SDT), and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Finally, the work conducts an in-depth analysis of the challenges hindering clinical translation and offers perspectives on future research directions.