Targeted drug release from stable and safe ultrasound-sensitive nanocarriers

Abstract

Selective delivery of medication into specified tissue targets would realize the promise of personalized medicine with minimal side effects. Such an approach could be particularly transformative for patients with brain disorders, in whom drugs could be released in the impaired brain circuits at high concentration while sparing other brain regions and organs. Focused ultrasound provides noninvasive and practical means to release drugs from nanocarriers selectively at its target. However, which nanoparticle formulations provide safe and effective release and under which ultrasound parameters has been unclear. To expedite regulatory approval, we tested release effectiveness from nanocarriers filled with perfluorocarbon cores of relatively high boiling points (up to 142°C). We confirmed the safety of these nanocarriers in non-human primates. Crucially, we found that these safe, high-boiling-point nanocarriers can be used for effective release so long as they are activated by ultrasound of frequencies lower than those used previously (300 kHz). This study informs the formulation and release parameters for safe and effective drug delivery in specific parts of the body or brain regions.Abstract FigureDrugs can be effectively released from ultrasound-sensitive nanoparticles filled with safe, high-boiling point cores so long as they are activated by low-frequency ultrasound.

Polymer-based nanosystems and their applications in bone anticancer therapy

“…In addition to AMF, ultrasound waves can safely and noninvasively penetrate and propagate through living tissues. Furthermore, ultrasound has been demonstrated as an effective method for triggering drug release from nanocarriers (Wilson and Kubanek, 2021). The efficacy of ultrasound in triggering drug release stems from the ability to safely focus the energy waves into specific small volumes, deep inside the body (Ibsen et al, 2013).…”