Organic Sonosensitizers for Sonodynamic Therapy: From Small Molecules and Nanoparticles toward Clinical Development
Abstract
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a novel noninvasive therapeutic modality that combines low-intensity ultrasound and sonosensitizers. Versus photo-mediated therapy, SDT has the advantages of deeper tissue penetration, high accuracy, and less side effects. Sonosensitizers are critical for therapeutic efficacy during SDT and organic sonosensitizers are important because of their clear structure, easy monitoring, evaluation of drug metabolism, and clinical transformation. Notably, nanotechnology can be used in the field of sonosensitizers and SDT to overcome the inherent obstacles and achieve sustainable innovation. This review introduces organic small molecule sonosensitizers, nano organic sonosensitizers, and their clinical translation by providing ideas and references for the design of sonosensitizers and SDT so as to promote its transformation to clinical applications in the future.
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SDT employs ultrasound to activate sonosensitizers, which selectively accumulate in tumor tissues, generating reactive oxygen species that target and destroy tumor cells while minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissues.
“SDT employs ultrasound (US) to activate sonosensitizers, which selectively accumulate in tumor tissues. Upon activation, these sonosensitizers generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), targeting and destroying tumor cells while minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissues from damage [10–13].”
From Nanosensitizer-assisted sonodynamic therapy for breast cancer (2025) · cites this paper as [13]
Sonodynamic therapy is a new strategy for tumor treatment with non-invasive, highly controllable, deep tissue penetration, and targeted ability.
“Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), a new strategy for tumor treatment, has non-invasive, highly controllable, deep tissue penetration, and targeted ability.”
From Nanosensitizer-assisted sonodynamic therapy for breast cancer (2025) · cites this paper as [13]
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Wang, T., Peng, W., Du, M., & Chen, Z. (2023) · Frontiers in Oncology · doi:10.3389/fonc.2023.1167105 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Nanosensitizer-assisted sonodynamic therapy for breast cancer
Yu, J., Hu, J.-R., Tian, Y., Lei, Y.-M., Hu, H.-M., Lei, B.-S., Zhang, G., Sun, Y., & Ye, H.-R. (2025) · Journal of Nanobiotechnology · doi:10.1186/s12951-025-03311-3 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
- Authors
- Li, D., Yang, Y., Li, D., Pan, J., Chu, C., & Liu, G.
- Affiliations
- Xiamen University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Chu, Chengchao
- Liu, Gang
- Venue
- Small
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2021-08-04
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 42
- Pages
- e2101976-e2101976
- ISSN
- 1613-6810 (ISSN-L)
- 1613-6829
- OpenAlex
- W3191603563
- Cited by
- 255
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 32 · 2025: 60 · 2024: 63 · 2023: 58 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 3
- FWCI
- 3.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Small (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (2017YFA0205201)
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (81925019, 81901876, U1705281)
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (20720190088, 20720200019)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Ultrasound and Hyperthermia Applications
- Keywords
- sonodynamic therapy, sonosensitizer, low-intensity ultrasound, clinical translation, drug metabolism
- MeSH terms
- Combined Modality Therapy, Humans, Neoplasms, Ultrasonic Therapy, Nanoparticles
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