The controlled release of anticancer drugs at the
tumor site is a central challenge in treating
cancer. To achieve this goal, our strategy was based on
tumor-specific targeting and ultrasound-triggered release of an
anticancer agent from liposomal nanocarriers. To enhance the ultrasound-triggered drug release, we incorporated a lipophilic sonosensitizer,
chlorin e6 (Ce6)
ester, into the
lipid bilayer of
liposomes. Additionally,
asparagine-glycine-arginine (NGR) that binds to CD13, which is overexpressed in
tumor cells, was introduced into these
liposomes. Under the navigation effects of the NGR, the novel ultrasound-triggerable NGR-modified liposomal nanocarrier (NGR/UT-L) accumulates in
tumor sites. Once irradiated by ultrasound in
tumor tissues, the sonodynamic effect produced by Ce6 could create more efficient disruptions of the
lipid bilayer of the liposomal nanocarriers. After encapsulating
doxorubicin (DOX) as the model
drug, the ultrasound triggered
lipid bilayer breakdown can spring the immediate release of DOX, making it possible for ultrasound-responsive
chemotherapy with great selectivity. By combining
tumor-specific targeting and stimuli-responsive controlled release into one system, NGR/UT-L demonstrated a perfect antitumor effect. Moreover, this report provides an example of controlled-release by means of a novel class of ultrasound triggering systems.