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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
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Injectable hydrogels for sustained release of therapeutic agents
Thavasyappan Thambi1, Yi Li1, Doo Sung Lee1
1School of Chemical Engineering, Theranostic Macromolecules Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea.
Summary
Injectable hydrogels offer controlled drug delivery. This review details biocompatible, biodegradable, pH- and temperature-responsive hydrogels for sustained therapeutic agent release.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Hydrogels are polymer networks with high water absorption, used in tissue engineering and as carriers for therapeutics.
- Injectable hydrogels form in situ from solutions upon stimuli (pH, temperature, etc.), acting as depots for sustained drug release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the development of injectable hydrogels for sustained therapeutic agent release.
- To highlight the advantages and perspectives of pH- and temperature-responsive injectable hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on biocompatible, biodegradable, and stimuli-responsive injectable hydrogels.
- Discussion of key factors: in situ gelation, polymer-drug interactions, and hydrogel degradation control.
Main Results:
- Injectable hydrogels provide tunable physicochemical properties for controlled release of drugs, proteins, and cells.
- Biocompatible, biodegradable, pH-, and temperature-responsive hydrogels are crucial for sustained delivery vehicles.
Conclusions:
- Injectable hydrogels are promising for sustained therapeutic agent delivery due to their in situ gelation and controlled release capabilities.
- Stimuli-responsive injectable hydrogels offer significant advantages for advanced drug delivery applications.
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