New Horizons in Hydrogels for Methotrexate Delivery.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Drug Delivery
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used therapeutic agent with limitations including poor absorption and short plasma half-life.
• These pharmacokinetic challenges necessitate the development of advanced drug delivery systems to optimize MTX efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of hydrogel-based formulations for enhancing methotrexate delivery.
• To explore hydrogels as a delivery system for MTX in treating cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and CNS diseases.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on hydrogel applications for methotrexate formulation.
• Analysis of state-of-the-art and future potential of hydrogels for systemic and transdermal MTX delivery.

Main Results:

• Hydrogels show significant promise for improving methotrexate's absorption and bioavailability.
• Hydrogel formulations can facilitate both systemic and transdermal delivery of MTX.
• Potential applications span oncology, rheumatology, dermatology, and neurology.

Conclusions:

• Hydrogels represent a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional methotrexate administration.
• Hydrogel-based delivery systems offer versatile solutions for targeted and sustained release of MTX.
• Further research into hydrogel formulations can unlock improved therapeutic outcomes for MTX-treated conditions.