Abstract
Gene transfer to cancer cells using nanobubbles (NBs) and ultrasound (US) is a non-invasive gene therapy. In order to improve efficacy of gene transfection, the impulsive pressures generated by cavitation bubbles created by the collapse of NBs have to be optimized. In addition, the mechanism of molecular transfer as d as subsequent therapeutic effect has to be investigated. In the present study, we delivered fluorescence molecules into cells with the NB-US method and quantified the intracellular fluorescence molecules. Next we verified the therapeutic effect of suicide gene therapy in vitro using harpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV tk) gene and ganciclovir (GCV), Finally we analyzed the cavitation bubble behavior and the interaction of the shock wave with a lipid bilayer by using theoretical and numerical methods, We attributed the delivery exogenous molecules by the NS-US method to the structural change in the lipid bilayer caused by the interaction of the shock waves from the cavitation bubbles.
