Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41406670›Full record

ReviewUltrasonics sonochemistry2026

Liquid-gas phase-change nanoplatforms for ultrasound-mediated cancer theranostics.

Jin Lei, Jing Lin, Peng Huang

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Ultrasonics sonochemistry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Jin LeiGuangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, International Cancer Center, Laboratory of Evolutionary Theranostics (LET), School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
Jing LinGuangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, International Cancer Center, Laboratory of Evolutionary Theranostics (LET), School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China. Electronic address: jingl@szu.edu.cn.
Peng HuangGuangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, International Cancer Center, Laboratory of Evolutionary Theranostics (LET), School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China. Electronic address: peng.huang@szu.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Ultrasound has emerged as a powerful modality for cancer theranostics due to its noninvasiveness, deep-tissue penetration, and real-time feedback. However, the limited stability and short circulation time of traditional microbubble contrast agents restrict their clinical potential. Liquid-gas phase-change nanoplatforms, also known as phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs), offer a promising alternative by enabling acoustic-triggered vaporization of perfluorocarbon (PFC) cores, facilitating enhanced imaging performance and spatiotemporally controlled therapeutic functions. This review introduces the fundamental mechanisms underlying the liquid-gas phase transition, including acoustic cavitation, heating, and radiation force effects. It then summarizes the design strategies for PCCAs, covering PFC core selection (from low- to high-boiling-point types), diverse carrier platforms (lipid-, polymer-, and nanoemulsion-based systems), and surface functionalization approaches for targeted delivery and stimulus responsiveness. Subsequently, the applications of PCCAs in ultrasound-guided cancer theranostics are discussed, encompassing their roles in diagnostic imaging as well as in ultrasound-mediated mono- and combination therapies, such as chemotherapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy. Finally, the review concludes with current challenges and future perspectives on smart material integration, multimodal imaging, and precision delivery strategies, which will be key to unlocking the full potential of PCCAs in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Indexed as

GasesNeoplasmsPhase TransitionTheranostic NanomedicineUltrasonic WavesAnimalsContrast MediaFluorocarbonsHumansContrast MediaFluorocarbonsGasesCancer theranosticsNanoplatformsPerfluorocarbonPhase-change contrast agentsUltrasound

Identifiers

PMID41406670
PMCPMC12769847

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.