The Effect of Sonication on Extravasation and Distribution of Nanoparticles and Dextrans in Tumor Tissue Imaged by Multiphoton Microscopy

Ultrasound (US)and systemic administration of microbubbles (MBs)have been shown to improve the delivery of drugs and nanoparticles (NPs)to tumor tissue. A better understanding of the mechanisms is crucial for effective delivery of NPs and drugs. To elucidate the kinetics of extravasation events, and relate it to the vessel diameter and flow, we have performed real-time intravital multiphoton microscopy during US sonication of tumors growing in dorsal window chambers. We studied the effects of four different mechanical index (MI)levels (0.2 to 0.8)while injecting SonoVue® or in-house made MBs with NPs in the shell (NPMB). We found that high MI of 0.8 induced a violent extravasation of both NPs and dextrans. Using lower MIs (0.2-0.6), less extravasation was detected and it occurred in vessels with larger diameters compared to sonication at MI 0.8. The rate of extravasation of both NPs and dextrans, and the displacement of NPs and dextrans from the vessel into the tumor tissue, correlated with MI. The observed extravasation events happened within milliseconds to minutes after the US exposure started. Moreover, we have observed a change of blood flow rate and direction with all the MIs tested.