Self-assembled liposome-loaded microbubbles: The missing link for safe and efficient ultrasound triggered drug-delivery

J Control Release. 2011 Jun 10;152(2):249-56. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.02.024. Epub 2011 Feb 26.

Abstract

Liposome-loaded microbubbles have been recently introduced as a promising drug delivery platform for ultrasound guided drug delivery. In this paper we design liposome-loaded (lipid-shelled) microbubbles through the simple self-assembly of the involved compounds in a single step process. We thoroughly characterized the liposome-loading of the microbubbles and evaluated the cell killing efficiency of this material using doxorubicin (DOX) as a model drug. Importantly, we observed that the DOX liposome-loaded microbubbles allowed killing of melanoma cells even at very low doses of DOX. These findings clearly prove the potential of liposome-loaded microbubbles for ultrasound targeted drug delivery to cancer tissues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage*
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage*
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Humans
  • Liposomes* / chemistry
  • Liposomes* / metabolism
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Microbubbles*
  • Plasma / metabolism
  • Ultrasonics / methods*

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Liposomes
  • Doxorubicin