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Injectable Poloxamer Hydrogels for Local Cancer Therapy
Ana Camila Marques1,2, Paulo Cardoso Costa1,2, Sérgia Velho3,4
1UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, MEDTECH, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2023
Summary
Injectable thermoresponsive hydrogels offer a promising approach for local cancer therapy. These poloxamer-based systems enable targeted drug delivery, minimizing systemic toxicity and enhancing treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Oncology
Background:
- Systemic cancer treatments face limitations like toxicity and poor tumor penetration.
- Local cancer therapies, particularly injectable hydrogels, offer targeted delivery and reduced side effects.
- Poloxamer-based thermoresponsive hydrogels are attractive for in situ drug delivery due to their properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physicochemical and biological characterization of injectable thermoresponsive poloxamer hydrogels.
- To summarize the applications of these hydrogels in various local cancer therapy modalities.
Main Methods:
- Focus on injectable, biodegradable, in situ gelling hydrogels based on poloxamers.
- Review of literature on the characterization and application of these hydrogels.
- Exploration of chemotherapy, phototherapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy applications.
Main Results:
- Poloxamer hydrogels demonstrate thermoresponsive behavior, biocompatibility, and ease of preparation.
- These hydrogels allow for high drug concentrations at the tumor site with minimal systemic exposure.
- Successful incorporation and delivery of anticancer agents for local therapy have been shown.
Conclusions:
- Injectable thermoresponsive poloxamer hydrogels are a viable platform for advanced local cancer treatment.
- Their tunable properties and versatility support diverse therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, phototherapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy.
