Ultrasound-mediated destruction of paclitaxel and oxygen loaded lipid microbubbles for combination therapy in ovarian cancer xenografts

• Ultrasound mediation OPLMBs destruction overcomes hypoxia-induced chemoresistance of ovarian cancer.
• Ultrasound mediation OPLMBs destruction yielded the increased tumor apoptosis and inhibition of tumor growth.
• Ultrasound mediation OPLMBs destruction may provide a promising drug delivery strategy for ovarian cancer treatment.

We have synthesized multifunctional oxygen and paclitaxel loaded microbubbles (OPLMBs) for ultrasound mediated delivery of combination therapy in an ovarian cancer xenograft model. In comparison with other therapeutic options, intravenous injection of OPLMBs followed by ultrasound mediation yielded a superior therapeutic outcome. Immunohistochemical analyses of the dissected tumor tissue confirmed the increased tumor apoptosis and the reduced VEGF expression after treatment. Western Blot tests further confirmed the decreased expressions of HIF-1α and P-gp. Our experiment suggests that ultrasound mediation of OPLMBs may provide a promising drug delivery strategy for the combination treatment of ovarian cancer.

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