Injectable and responsively degradable hydrogel for personalized photothermal therapy
Changping Wang1, Xinyu Wang1, Kunyu Dong1
1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China.
Biomaterials
|July 25, 2016
Summary
This study introduces a novel injectable hydrogel for repeated photothermal cancer therapy. The degradable hydrogel safely clears platinum nanoparticles from the body after treatment, reducing toxicity risks.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Near-infrared-absorbing hydrogels are utilized for repeated photothermal cancer treatments.
- Prolonged retention of hydrogels in vivo can elevate toxicity risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an injectable and on-demand degradable hydrogel for repeated photothermal therapies (PTTs).
- To ensure safe clearance of therapeutic agents after cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an alginate-calcium hydrogel matrix immobilizing dendrimer-encapsulated platinum nanoparticles (DEPts).
- Assessment of hydrogel degradation upon chelator injection.
- In vivo evaluation of hydrogel/DEPts for repeated PTTs and nanoparticle clearance.
Main Results:
- The developed hydrogel exhibited excellent biocompatibility.
- Repeated PTTs using hydrogel/DEPts efficiently suppressed tumor growth in vivo.
- On-demand hydrogel degradation facilitated renal excretion of DEPts, minimizing toxicity.
- External tumor coating with hydrogel/DEPts achieved efficient tumor ablation, alternative to injection.
Conclusions:
- The smart, degradable hydrogel offers a safe and effective platform for repeated photothermal cancer therapy.
- On-demand degradation enables controlled clearance of nanoparticles, enhancing safety profiles.
- The hydrogel system presents a promising strategy for advanced cancer treatment modalities.
