Hematoporphyrin encapsulated PLGA microbubble for contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging and sonodynamic therapy

J Microencapsul. 2012;29(5):437-44. doi: 10.3109/02652048.2012.655333. Epub 2012 Feb 2.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a sonosensitizer-loaded multi-functional ultrasound (US) contrast agent for both tumour therapy and imaging. The hematoporphyrin (HP)-encapsulated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microbubbles (HP-PLGA-MBs) were prepared and filled with perfluorocarbon gases. The enhancement of US imaging and its sonodynamically induced anti-tumour effect were evaluated by both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The HP-PLGA-MBs have a narrow size distribution and smooth surface with a mean diameter of 702.6 ± 56.8 nm and HP encapsulation efficiency of 63.50 ± 1.26% and drug-loading efficiency of 2.15 ± 0.13%. The HP-PLGA-MBs could well enhance the ultrasound imaging both in vitro and in vivo. A significant anti-tumour effect was obtained by HP-PLGA-MBs mediated sonodynamic therapy. The tumour growth rate and the tumour proliferation index were the lowest in the HP-PLGA-MBs plus sonication group. And the tumour cell apoptotic index was the biggest in the HP-PLGA-MBs plus sonication group. In conclusion, a sonosensitizer-loaded multi-functional contrast agent was constructed and the feasibility was demonstrated, which might provide a novel strategy for tumour imaging and therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / therapy*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Contrast Media / administration & dosage
  • Contrast Media / therapeutic use*
  • Equipment Design
  • Hematoporphyrins / administration & dosage
  • Hematoporphyrins / therapeutic use*
  • Lactic Acid / chemistry
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Microbubbles / therapeutic use
  • Particle Size
  • Polyglycolic Acid / chemistry
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Ultrasonic Therapy / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonics / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Hematoporphyrins
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Lactic Acid