Clinical translation and landscape of silver nanoparticles.

Despite being clinically used for over a century, the benefits of silver nanoparticles are perennially under debate and dispute. In the last two decades, a revived interest in their therapeutic applications has resulted in a few new formulations transitioning into clinical trials. These metal nanomedicines are used in concrete applications that are defined by the physicochemical and biological features of the silver nanoconstructs, as well as their biodistribution profiles.

Polymeric antibubbles with strong ultrasound imaging capabilities.

Antibubbles are liquid droplets encapsulated by a gas film that have recently been explored for on-demand ultrasound-triggered drug release. However, their ultrasound imaging capabilities are limited by their stiff shells stabilized with silica nanoparticles. Here, we develop polymeric antibubbles that generate greater ultrasound contrast than silica-based antibubbles, while showing better stability than conventional polymeric microbubbles.

Polymeric Microbubble Shell Engineering: Microporosity as a Key Factor to Enhance Ultrasound Imaging and Drug Delivery Performance.

Microbubbles (MB) are widely used as contrast agents for ultrasound (US) imaging and US-enhanced drug delivery. Polymeric MB are highly suitable for these applications because of their acoustic responsiveness, high drug loading capability, and ease of surface functionalization. While many studies have focused on using polymeric MB for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, relatively little attention has thus far been paid to improving their inherent imaging and drug delivery features.