Preparation and Imaging Investigation of Dual-targeted C3F8-filled PLGA Nanobubbles as a Novel Ultrasound Contrast Agent for Breast Cancer

Molecularly-targeted contrast enhanced ultrasound (US) imaging is a promising imaging strategy with large potential for improving diagnostic accuracy of conventional US imaging in breast cancer detection. Therefore, we constructed a novel dual-targeted nanosized US contrast agent (UCA) directed at both vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) based on perfluoropropane (C 3 F 8 )-filled poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) (NBs) for breast cancer detection. In vitro , single- or dual-targeted PLGA NBs showed high target specificities and better effects of target enhancement in VEGFR2 or HER2-positive cells. In vivo , US imaging signal in the murine breast cancer model was significantly higher ( P