Recent progress in theranostic microbubbles

Ultrasonography is an important complement to clinical diagnosis, and the application of microbubbles effectively improved diagnostic accuracy in echography. In scientific research, the sizes of microbubbles range from nanometers to microns. By optimizing the fabrication process, bubble sizes and ultrasound parameters, microbubbles can also be used for drug delivery and therapeutic monitoring. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of microbubbles according to their different components. Modification of microbubble shells allows for more accurate imaging and detection and the combined utilization of US-targeted MB destruction (UTMD) allows for non-invasive, precise and targeted delivery of drug molecules to pathological tissues. These features pave the way for the emerge of theranostic microbubbles by combination of functional compositions and the application of multifunctional materials. Theranostic microbubbles allow for the simultaneous process of diagnosis, visualization of drug delivery and therapeutic monitoring. Ultimately, theranostic microbubbles are promising in clinical practice and would enhance contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) to a new qualitative level.