Ultrasound-Induced Drug Release from Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive hydrogel drug delivery systems are designed to release a payload when prompted by an external stimulus. These platforms have become prominent in the field of drug delivery due to their ability to provide spatial and temporal control for drug release. Among the different external triggers that have been used, ultrasound possesses several advantages: it is non-invasive, has deep tissue penetration, and can safely transmit acoustic energy to a localized area. This review summarizes the current state of understanding about ultrasound-responsive hydrogels used for drug delivery. The mechanisms of inducing payload release and activation using ultrasound are examined, along with the latest innovative formulations and hydrogel design strategies. We also report on the most recent applications leveraging ultrasound activation for both cancer treatment and tissue engineering. Finally, the future perspectives offered by ultrasound-sensitive hydrogels are discussed.

pH and Thermoresponsive PNIPAm-co-Polyacrylamide Hydrogel for Dual Stimuli-Responsive Controlled Drug Delivery

“…Chemically cross-linked hydrogel polymers are currently attracting much research attention as prospective drug delivery matrices. The drug release behavior might be influenced by internal or external stimuli such as pH, temperature, light, and ultrasound [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Dual-stimuli materials, such as temperature and pH-sensitive hydrogel materials, are frequently used in biomedical fields because these parameters may be easily controlled in vitro and in vivo [ 20 ].…”

A Review of Advanced Multifunctional Magnetic Nanostructures for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy Integrated into an Artificial Intelligence Approach

“…Ultrasound-sensitive drug delivery systems use materials that are sensitive to sound waves, such as microbubbles, to release drugs in response to changes in sound intensity. Ultrasound can cause local high temperatures and membrane perforation, causing tumor cells to absorb drugs more readily by altering their membrane permeability [ 207 ]. Nanocarriers can release drugs by ultrasound through either the thermal or mechanical effects of cavitation or radiation forces.…”

Precision gas therapy by ultrasound‐triggered for anticancer therapeutics

“…These requirments call for at least one material component to change swiftly and nonlinearly as the temperature rises. Nanoparticles (NPs), liposomes, or polymer micelles are common examples of such drug delivery methods 75,76 . Sensitivity to sound waves typically causes phase transitions in the lipid composition or conformational changes in the lipid bilayer in liposomes 43,77 .…”

“…Nanoparticles (NPs), liposomes, or polymer micelles are common examples of such drug delivery methods. 75,76 Sensitivity to sound waves typically causes phase transitions in the lipid composition or conformational changes in the lipid bilayer in liposomes. 43,77 For example, the Dreher group designed a lysolecithin lipid containing low-temperature-sensitive liposome (LTSL) to transport the chemotherapy medication doxorubicin (DOX).…”