Curcumin combining temozolomide formed localized nanogel for inhibition of postsurgical chemoresistant glioblastoma

Aim: To investigate the use of nanoparticle (NP)-encapsulated injectable thermosensitive hydrogel-formed nanogel for inhibition of postsurgical residual temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant glioblastoma (GBM) recurrence. Materials & methods: Curcumin (Cur) was coloaded with TMZ into PEG-PLGA NPs, then NPs were further encapsulated into a thermosensitive hydrogel to form a nanogel, which was injected into the resection cavity of the GBM postsurgery. Results: The prepared nanogel displayed excellent drug-loading capacity and long-term drug release. Estimated survival characteristics demonstrated that the nanogel could play a significant role in TMZ-resistant tumor inhibition with low drug-induced toxicity. The originally designed ratio of Cur/TMZ was sustained, making it an effective therapeutic outcome. Conclusion: Cur-combined TMZ-formed nanogels can be a promising candidate for the local inhibition of GBM recurrence.