Ultrasound-Mediated Delivery of Therapeutics

Focused ultrasound combined with systemically administered microbubbles can alter the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, providing a non-invasive, transient and targeted approach for drug delivery to the brain. This technology is extremely promising for the treatment of brain diseases, where the blood-brain barrier presents a significant challenge, but it can also be used for drug delivery to other organs. Understanding the types of microbubble activity that lead to specific bioeffects allows us to better design ultrasound sequences for specific disease targets to maximise the therapeutic effect and minimise any adverse effects. Over the past two decades, there have been significant advances in the technology, and numerous preclinical studies have evaluated its safety and efficacy for the treatment of brain diseases. Due to its promising results, clinical trials are now underway across the world to use this technology to treat patients with brain tumours, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.