Perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions as contrast agents for imaging and ultrasound‐mediated targeted chemotherapy.

Abstract

During the last decade, achievements of nanomedicine have made possible image‐guided drug targeting to disease sites. In oncology, tumor targeting of chemotherapeutic agents can be realized by drug encapsulation in nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, nanoemulsions, etc. A degree of tumor targeting may be increased by developing stimuli responsive nanocarriers that release their drug load in response to external stimuli such as heat, light, or ultrasound. Using ultrasound allows combining imaging and therapy. However, many mechanistic aspects of the ultrasound‐mediated drug delivery remain elusive. Which mode of ultrasound, mechanical or thermal, is optimal for drug delivery? Which is the optimal timing of ultrasound application in relation to drug injection? What would be the best target for molecularly targeted carriers? These problems will be discussed for paclitaxel‐loaded perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions that manifest a unique combination of properties (acoustic droplet vaporization, cavi...