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Ultrasound and microbubble-targeted delivery of therapeutic compounds

ICIN Report Project 49: Drug and gene delivery through ultrasound and microbubbles

  • Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands
  • Published:
Netherlands Heart Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The molecular understanding of diseases has been accelerated in recent years, producing many new potential therapeutic targets. A noninvasive delivery system that can target specific anatomical sites would be a great boost for many therapies, particularly those based on manipulation of gene expression. The use of microbubbles controlled by ultrasound as a method for delivery of drugs or genes to specific tissues is promising. It has been shown by our group and others that ultrasound increases cell membrane permeability and enhances uptake of drugs and genes. One of the important mechanisms is that microbubbles act to focus ultrasound energy by lowering the threshold for ultrasound bioeffects. Therefore, clear understanding of the bioeffects and mechanisms underlying the membrane permeability in the presence of microbubbles and ultrasound is of paramount importance. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:82-6.)

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    L. J. M. Juffermans

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  1. L. J. M. Juffermans
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  2. A. van Wamel
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  3. R. H. Henning
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  4. K. Kooiman
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  5. M. Emmer
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  6. N. de Jong
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  7. W. H. van Gilst
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  8. R. Musters
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  9. W. J. Paulus
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  10. A. C. van Rossum
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  11. L. E. Deelman
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  12. O. Kamp
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. J. M. Juffermans.

Additional information

Department of Cardiology and Physiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcentre, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcentre, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcentre, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcentre, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Cardiology and Physiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Department of Cardiology and Physiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Cardiology and Physiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Cardiology and Physiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, Utrecht, the Netherlands

L.J.M. Juffermans Department of Physiology, VU University Medical Center, room C170, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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Juffermans, L.J.M., van Wamel, A., Henning, R.H. et al. Ultrasound and microbubble-targeted delivery of therapeutic compounds. NHJL 17, 82–86 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03086223

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03086223

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