Ultrasound technology and biomaterials for precise drug therapy

Abstract

Advanced ultrasound technology and functional biomaterials can be used to achieve precision drug therapy in different aspects such as dose, space, and/or time. At present, many physical or chemical technologies and preparations, such as ultrasound, light, magnetism, and enzyme, have been used to prepare a variety of functional biomaterials and trigger precise drug delivery. Notably, ultrasound provides a convenient and robust technology for drug triggering and precision therapy and is increasingly being studied and applied. At present, the ultrasound system mainly triggers and realizes precise drug treatment through sonophoresis and sonoopermeation (including inorganic-based nanoparticles, microbubbles, nanobubbles, liposomes, micelles, micro-nanomotors, etc.). This review first introduces the classification of ultrasound and related physical properties involving precision drug treatment, and then systematically discusses the realization of drug precision treatment through sonophoresis and sonopermeation. In particular, key information such as effective ultrasonic intensity and frequency parameter range, types of loaded drugs, systematic therapeutic effect, and so on for precision therapy with an advanced combination of ultrasonic technology and various biological materials were expounded and summarized. In addition, relevant clinical opportunities and challenges are described. Finally, the development and application of ultrasound-functional biomaterials for drug precision therapy are prospected.