Yunfeng Wu,1 Yuxi Liu,2 Han Wu,1 Mengying Tong,1 Linyao Du,1 Shuangsong Ren,1 Ying Che1 

1Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Liaoning, Dalian, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Ultrasound, Shandong Second Medical University Affiliated Hospital, Shan Dong, Weifang, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Ying Che, Email yche1964@163.com

Abstract: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women worldwide and is a leading cause of cancer deaths among women. As a result, various treatments have been developed to combat this disease. Breast cancer treatment varies based on its stage and type of pathology. Among the therapeutic options, ultrasound has been employed to assist in the treatment of breast cancer, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, and, more recently, radiofrequency ablation for early-stage and inoperable patients. One notable advancement is ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD), which is gradually becoming a highly effective and non-invasive anti-tumor modality. This technique can enhance chemical, genetic, immune, and anti-vascular therapies through its physical and biological effects. Specifically, UTMD improves drug transfer efficiency and destroys tumor neovascularization while reducing toxic side effects on the body during tumor treatment. Given these developments, the application of ultrasound-assisted therapy to breast cancer has gained significant attention from research scholars. In this review, we will discuss the development of various therapeutic modalities for breast cancer and, importantly, highlight the application of ultrasound microbubble-targeted disruption techniques in breast cancer treatment.

Keywords: ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction, breast cancer, microbubble, chemotherapy, TME, radiofrequency ablation