Multifunctional Magnetothermo-Responsive Smart Hydrogel for On-Demand Controlled Drug Release in Cancer Therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapy

Background:

• Targeted drug delivery is crucial for personalized cancer therapies.
• Developing stimuli-responsive materials enhances drug release control.
• Hybrid hydrogels offer tunable properties for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a UV-crosslinkable and thermo-responsive hybrid hydrogel for on-demand drug delivery.
• To integrate superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for magnetothermal response.
• To evaluate the hydrogel's mechanical, biocompatibility, and drug release characteristics for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of gelatin methacrylate (GelMa)-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hybrid hydrogel (G/P).
• Functionalization with folic acid-SPIONs for targeted delivery and magnetic hyperthermia.
• Characterization using DSC, AMF, cyclic compression tests, and in vitro cell viability assays.
• Evaluation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) release under simulated hyperthermia.

Main Results:

• The G/P hydrogel exhibited a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around 32 °C and efficient magnetothermal response.
• Superior mechanical properties were observed compared to pure GelMa and PNIPAM hydrogels.
• Excellent in vitro cytocompatibility (>70% viability) and blood compatibility (<2% hemolysis) were confirmed.
• Synergistic cancer cell death was achieved by combining drug loading with AMF-induced hyperthermia.
• Controlled pulsatile release of 5-FU (72.6% over 28 days) was demonstrated, triggered by hyperthermia.

Conclusions:

• The developed dual-stimuli responsive hydrogel is mechanically robust and biocompatible.
• It provides a highly efficient platform for on-demand, controlled cancer drug delivery.
• This technology holds significant potential for personalized cancer treatment strategies.