Application Perspectives of Targeted Ultrasound Contrast Agents in Diagnosis and Therapy of Cancer

Cancer has become the important social problems in China with its increasing incidence and mortality. Targeted ultrasound contrast agents-mediated ultrasound molecular diagnostic techniques and targeted therapeutic techniques may contribute to secondary prevention and tertiary prevention of cancer. Targeted ultrasound contrast agents have shown a prominent application value for its good advantage in cancer identification, efficacy monitoring, and serving as the gene and drug carriers to mediate cancer targeted therapy, and ultimately achieving the integration of cancer diagnosis and therapy though they are currently still in preclinical stage. Recently, foreign studies have also confirmed that targeted ultrasound contrast agents have anti-vascular effects and thus enhance the radiotherapy effect. Targeted ultrasound contrast agents-mediated ultrasound molecular imaging, precise chemotherapy, targeted gene therapy, radiotherapy sensitization are important support technologies of "precision medicine". It will help to further accelerate ultrasound contrast agents translating into clinical applications by summarizing its recent progress and potential clinical application.