Improved therapeutic antibody delivery to xenograft tumors using cavitation nucleated by gas-entrapping nanoparticles

Aims: Testing ultrasound-mediated cavitation for enhanced delivery of the therapeutic antibody cetuximab to tumors in a mouse model. Methods: Tumors with strong EGF receptor expression were grown bilaterally. Cetuximab was coadministered intravenously nuclei, consisting either ultrasound contrast agent Sonovue or gas-stabilizing nanoscale SonoTran Particles. One two exposed focused ultrasound. Passive acoustic mapping localized and monitored activity. Both then excised concentration quantified. Results: Cavitation increased tumoral concentration. When nucleated by Sonovue, 2.1-fold increase (95% CI 1.3- 3.4-fold) measured, whereas Particles gave 3.6-fold 2.3- 5.8-fold). Conclusions: Ultrasound-mediated cavitation, especially when gas-entrapping particles, can noninvasively site-specific antibodies solid tumors.