Recent advances of nanobubble-based systems in cancer therapeutics: A Review

Abstract

Cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells that also metastasis, owing to the mutation in p53 (tumor suppressor gene), making cancer a deadly disease. Though Chemotherapy, Photothermal therapy (PTT), and Photodynamic therapy (PDT) have promising results, acute side effects such as light sensitivity, immune system suppression, and weakness associated with these treatments demand a new strategy that can ameliorate the drawbacks associated with the same. In this regard, Nanobubble therapy (NBT) plays a vital role in plasmonic nanoparticles killing cancer cells by disrupting the cancer cell membrane. As NBT targets only the cancer cells, the side effects associated are almost nil or significantly less compared with Chemotherapy, PTT, and PDT. This article reviews the rationale and significance of NBT over other therapies while providing insight into the metal-based nanobubble systems and their biological applications.

Keywords

• Nanobubble therapy
• Cancer theranostics
• Novel therapy
• Biomedical applications
• Photodynamic therapy
• Photothermal therapy