Effect of sonodynamic therapy on H22 tumor-bearing mice using hematoporphyrin-loaded PLGA ultrasound contrast agents

Objective To study the treatment effect on H22 tumor-bearing mice using ultrasound (US) combined with hematoporphyrin-loaded PLGA ultrasound contrast agents (HP-PLGA). Methods Hematoporphyrin-loaded PLGA ultrasound contrast agents were prepared using the technique of double emulsion,and the properties of the contrast agents were detected. Then 30 H22 tumor-bearing mice were averagely divided into 5 groups for different treatment. The growth curve of H22 tumor was depicted within 15 days after treatment. The inhibition rate of tumor quality on the 15th day and the index about apoptosis and proliferation on tumor of each group were measured,respectively. Results Self-made hematoporphyrin-loaded PLGA ultrasound contrast agents had mean size of 602.3 nm with encapsulation efficiency of 63.50% and drug loading of 2.15%. After treatment,tumors of the E group (US+HP-PLGA) grew most slowly compared with other groups. The inhibition rate of tumor quality and the apoptotic index in E group were significantly higher than those in other four groups (P0.05),while the proliferation index in E group was significantly lower than that in other groups (P0.05). Conclusion Ultrasound combined with hematoporphyrin-loaded PLGA ultrasound contrast agents could inhibit growth and promote the apoptosis of H22 tumor in mice,providing a novel strategy for sonodynamic therapy on the tumor.