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Alginate-based hydrogels for cancer therapy and research
Belen Reig-Vano1, Bartosz Tylkowski2, Xavier Montané3
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, Campus Sescelades, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|December 31, 2020
Summary
Alginate hydrogels offer a biocompatible and biodegradable platform for advanced cancer therapies. These systems enhance drug delivery, improve bioavailability, and show promise in colorectal cancer treatment and diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology in Medicine
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Cancer treatment faces limitations due to non-selective drug action, leading to systemic toxicity and tumor resistance.
- Encapsulation strategies are crucial for improving therapeutic bioavailability and overcoming treatment challenges.
- Alginate, a non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymer, is a promising material for encapsulation due to its hydrogel-forming properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state-of-the-art alginate-based systems for cancer therapy and research.
- To highlight the suitability of alginate hydrogels for biomedical applications, particularly in cancer treatment.
- To explore diverse applications including drug, protein, and nucleic acid delivery, 3D scaffolds, and diagnostic tools.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on alginate hydrogels and their applications in cancer.
- Analysis of alginate's properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and hydrogel formation.
- Compilation of examples of alginate-based delivery systems for various therapeutic agents and research tools.
Main Results:
- Alginate hydrogels possess unique properties making them ideal for biomedical uses, including high water content and tissue-like characteristics.
- Alginate systems demonstrate significant potential in delivering therapeutic drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids for cancer treatment.
- Applications extend to oral delivery, colorectal cancer therapy, 3D cell culture scaffolds, tumor biomarker immunosensing, and surgical markers.
Conclusions:
- Alginate-based hydrogels represent sophisticated and versatile platforms for advancing cancer therapy and research.
- Their inherent biocompatibility and tunable properties facilitate innovative approaches to drug delivery and diagnostics.
- Further development of alginate systems holds great promise for improving cancer patient outcomes and research capabilities.
