Devices, methods, and compositions for thermal acceleration and drug delivery

Abstract

A thermal accelerant can be used as a drug delivery vehicle to deliver one or more drugs to a target site. For example, in some embodiments, a carrier such as albumin or human serum albumin (HSA) can be impregnated with, or covalently attached to, an anti-tumor agent and delivered to a location proximate to a tumor of a patient. The carrier can be exposed to an energy source that structurally alters the carrier and releases the agent therefrom. The sources of energy can include one or more of microwave, radiofrequency, electrical pulse (electroporation) or sonar (HIFU or histotripsy). In some embodiments, the anti-tumor agent can be delayed release such that a portion of the agent is released from the carrier over an extended period of time. The incorporation of an anti-tumor agent in a thermal accelerant provides a thermal ablation-drug delivery combination therapy (e.g., a thermally-activated combination therapy).