Next generation ultrasound platforms for theranostics

Microbubbles are a well-established contrast agent which improves diagnostic ultrasound imaging. During the last decade research has focused on expanding their use to include molecular imaging, targeted therapy and imaging modalities other than ultrasound. However, bioadhesion of targeted microbubbles under physiological flow conditions is still difficult to achieve, the main challenge being connected to the poor stability of lipid microbubbles in the body’s circulation system. In this article, we investigate the use of polymeric microbubbles based on a poly (vinyl alcohol) shell as an alternative to lipid microbubbles. In particular, we report on the development of microbubble shell modification, using mild reaction conditions, with the aim of designing a multifunctional platform to enable diagnosis and therapy. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and a near infrared fluorescent probe, indocyanine green, are coupled to the bubbles surface in order to support magnetic resonance and fluorescence imaging. Furthermore, anchoring cyclic arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide, and cyclodextrin molecules, allows targeting and drug loading, respectively. Last but not least, shell topography is provided by atomic force microscopy. These applications and features, together with the high echogenicity of poly (vinyl alcohol) microbubbles, may offer a more stable alternative to lipid microbubbles for the development of a multimodal theranostic platform.