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Recent advances of injectable in situ-forming hydrogels for preventing postoperative tumor recurrence
Zhanpeng Wang1, Bingtao Zhai1,2, Jing Sun1
1School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
The unavoidable residual tumor tissue from surgery and the strong aggressiveness of tumor cells pose challenges to the postoperative treatment of tumor patients, accompanied by in situ tumor recurrence and decreased quality of life. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore appropriate postoperative therapeutic strategies to remove residual tumor cells after surgery to inhibit tumor recurrence and metastasis after surgery. In recent years, with the rapid development of biomedical materials, the study of local delivery systems as postoperative delivery of therapeutic agents has gradually attracted the attention of researchers. Injectable in situ-forming hydrogel is a locally administered agent injected in situ as a solution that can be loaded with various therapeutic agents and rapidly gels to form a semi-solid gel at the treatment site. This type of hydrogel tightly fills the surgical site and covers irregular excision surfaces. In this paper, we review the recent advances in the application of injectable in situ-forming hydrogels in postoperative therapy, focusing on the matrix materials of this type of hydrogel and its application in the postoperative treatment of different types of tumors, as well as discussing the challenges and prospects of its clinical application.
Insights
Injectable in situ-forming hydrogels offer a promising postoperative therapy to eliminate residual tumor cells and prevent recurrence. These advanced biomedical materials are designed for local delivery of therapeutic agents directly at the surgical site.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Oncology
Background:
- Residual tumor tissue and aggressive tumor cells present significant challenges in postoperative cancer treatment, leading to recurrence and reduced quality of life.
- Effective strategies are needed to eliminate residual tumor cells and inhibit postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in injectable in situ-forming hydrogels for postoperative cancer therapy.
- To focus on the matrix materials and applications of these hydrogels in treating various tumors post-surgery.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on injectable in situ-forming hydrogels in postoperative tumor treatment.
- Analysis of hydrogel matrix materials and their therapeutic applications.
- Discussion of clinical challenges and future prospects.
Main Results:
- Injectable in situ-forming hydrogels are emerging as effective local delivery systems for postoperative therapeutic agents.
- These hydrogels form a semi-solid gel at the treatment site, filling surgical cavities and covering irregular surfaces.
- Various matrix materials are being explored for their potential in postoperative tumor management.
Conclusions:
- Injectable in situ-forming hydrogels represent a significant advancement in local postoperative cancer therapy.
- Further research and clinical translation are needed to overcome challenges and realize the full potential of these hydrogels.
- These systems hold promise for improving patient outcomes by reducing tumor recurrence and metastasis.
