Cross-linking-enhanced and ultrasound-mediated drug delivery: From fabrication, mechanisms to translations

The ever-growing development of advanced biomaterials has substantially influenced the diagnosis and treatment against various diseases. In this study, a novel type of bio-inspired cross-linked polymer has been constructed with prominent size-tunability from micro- to nano-dimension and versatile enhanced drug loading mechanisms. In the meanwhile, this functional polymer has been applied to sustained and ultrasound (US)-triggered/promoted stimuli-responsive drug release upon an external US irradiation. Proof-of-principle in vivo animal studies proved their utility as a useful tool for a precision assessment of drug deposition and targeting delivery as well as a state-of-the-art visualized therapeutic strategy by this means. These valuable merits validated the as-reported functional polymer a useful tool for the precision assessment of drug deposition and targeted delivery, and also opened up an era to the state-of-the-art visualized therapeutic translations.