Development of Ultrasound-Triggered and Magnetic-Targeted Nanobubble System for Dual-Drug Delivery

Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes more than 85% of lung cancer case. Pemetrexed is used to treat types of NSCLC, and pazopanib is used for some types of soft tissue sarcoma. The aim of the study was development of pemetrexed and pazopanib carrying nanobubble system with magnetic responsiveness and ultrasound sensitivity properties for targeted NSCLC therapy. Drugs were linked to newly designed peptide, and peptide drug conjugates were attached to amine-modified magnetite. Resulting nanoparticles were encapsulated into liposomes, and liposomes were extruded, then nanobubble system was prepared. Moreover, nanobubble biodistribution was monitored by in vivo imaging system. As a result, based on high-performance liquid chromatography data, magnetite and peptide-pemetrexed were conjugated with 54.02% yield, and magnetite and peptide-pazopanib were bound with 63.53% yield. Hydrodynamic size of nanobubbles, prepared from liposomes filtered through 800 nm and 400 nm, was determined as 491.1 ± 130.2 and 275.8 ± 117.8 nm, respectively. Carrier system was accumulated into tumor area with 80.22% yield of the injected carrier system. It was found that nanobubbles were magnetic responsive for accumulation via magnetic field and could be disrupted by ultrasound via focused acoustic pressure, which lead to targeted drug delivery. These nanobubble systems could be investigated for intravenous and inhaler administration in further studies.