Induction of the apoptosis of cancer cell by sonodynamic therapy: A review

Abstract

Ultrasound can be used not only in examination, but also in therapy, especially in the therapy of cancer. Sonodynamic therapy is an experimental cancer therapy method which uses ultrasound to enhance the cytotoxic effects of agents known as sonosensitizers. It has been tested in vitro and in vivo. The ultrasound could penetrate the tissue and cell under some of conditions which directly changes cell membrane permeability, thereby allowing the delivery of exogenous molecules into the cells in some degree. Ultrasound could inhibit the proliferation or induce the apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro or in vivo. Recent researches indicated low-frequency and low-intensity ultrasound could induce cell apoptosis, which could be strengthened by sonodynamic sensitivity, microbubbles, chemotherapeutic drugs and so on. Most kinds of ultrasound suppressed the proliferation of cancer cells through inducing the apoptosis of cancer cells. The mechanism of apoptosis is not clear. In this review, we will focus on and discuss the mechanisms of the induction of cancer cell apoptosis by ultrasound. © 2012 Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.