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Lu P, Ruan D, Huang M, Tian M, Zhu K, Gan Z, Xiao Z. Harnessing the potential of hydrogels for advanced therapeutic applications: current achievements and future directions. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:166. [PMID: 38945949 PMCID: PMC11214942 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01852-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The applications of hydrogels have expanded significantly due to their versatile, highly tunable properties and breakthroughs in biomaterial technologies. In this review, we cover the major achievements and the potential of hydrogels in therapeutic applications, focusing primarily on two areas: emerging cell-based therapies and promising non-cell therapeutic modalities. Within the context of cell therapy, we discuss the capacity of hydrogels to overcome the existing translational challenges faced by mainstream cell therapy paradigms, provide a detailed discussion on the advantages and principal design considerations of hydrogels for boosting the efficacy of cell therapy, as well as list specific examples of their applications in different disease scenarios. We then explore the potential of hydrogels in drug delivery, physical intervention therapies, and other non-cell therapeutic areas (e.g., bioadhesives, artificial tissues, and biosensors), emphasizing their utility beyond mere delivery vehicles. Additionally, we complement our discussion on the latest progress and challenges in the clinical application of hydrogels and outline future research directions, particularly in terms of integration with advanced biomanufacturing technologies. This review aims to present a comprehensive view and critical insights into the design and selection of hydrogels for both cell therapy and non-cell therapies, tailored to meet the therapeutic requirements of diverse diseases and situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peilin Lu
- Nanomedicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, PR China
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, PR China
| | - Dongxue Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Guangzhou Institute for Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, PR China
| | - Meiqi Huang
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, PR China
| | - Mi Tian
- Department of Stomatology, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610021, PR China
| | - Kangshun Zhu
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, PR China.
| | - Ziqi Gan
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, PR China.
| | - Zecong Xiao
- Nanomedicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, PR China.
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Zhao C, Pan B, Wang T, Yang H, Vance D, Li X, Zhao H, Hu X, Yang T, Chen Z, Hao L, Liu T, Wang Y. Advances in NIR-Responsive Natural Macromolecular Hydrogel Assembly Drugs for Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2729. [PMID: 38140070 PMCID: PMC10747500 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a serious disease with an abnormal proliferation of organ tissues; it is characterized by malignant infiltration and growth that affects human life. Traditional cancer therapies such as resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy have a low cure rate and often cause irreversible damage to the body. In recent years, since the traditional treatment of cancer is still very far from perfect, researchers have begun to focus on non-invasive near-infrared (NIR)-responsive natural macromolecular hydrogel assembly drugs (NIR-NMHADs). Due to their unique biocompatibility and extremely high drug encapsulation, coupling with the spatiotemporal controllability of NIR, synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT), photothermal therapy (PDT), chemotherapy (CT) and immunotherapy (IT) has created excellent effects and good prospects for cancer treatment. In addition, some emerging bioengineering technologies can also improve the effectiveness of drug delivery systems. This review will discuss the properties of NIR light, the NIR-functional hydrogels commonly used in current research, the cancer therapy corresponding to the materials encapsulated in them and the bioengineering technology that can assist drug delivery systems. The review provides a constructive reference for the optimization of NIR-NMHAD experimental ideas and its application to human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Zhao
- China Medical University—The Queen’s University Belfast Joint College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (C.Z.); (B.P.); (D.V.); (T.Y.); (Z.C.)
- Department of Chemistry, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China;
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-Evidence Sciences, Shenyang 110122, China
- Center of Forensic Investigation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Boyue Pan
- China Medical University—The Queen’s University Belfast Joint College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (C.Z.); (B.P.); (D.V.); (T.Y.); (Z.C.)
- Department of Chemistry, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China;
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-Evidence Sciences, Shenyang 110122, China
- Center of Forensic Investigation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Tianlin Wang
- Department of Biophysics, School of Intelligent Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (T.W.); (H.Y.)
| | - Huazhe Yang
- Department of Biophysics, School of Intelligent Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (T.W.); (H.Y.)
| | - David Vance
- China Medical University—The Queen’s University Belfast Joint College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (C.Z.); (B.P.); (D.V.); (T.Y.); (Z.C.)
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK
| | - Xiaojia Li
- Teaching Center for Basic Medical Experiment, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (X.L.); (H.Z.)
| | - Haiyang Zhao
- Teaching Center for Basic Medical Experiment, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (X.L.); (H.Z.)
| | - Xinru Hu
- The 1st Clinical Department, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China;
| | - Tianchang Yang
- China Medical University—The Queen’s University Belfast Joint College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (C.Z.); (B.P.); (D.V.); (T.Y.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zihao Chen
- China Medical University—The Queen’s University Belfast Joint College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (C.Z.); (B.P.); (D.V.); (T.Y.); (Z.C.)
| | - Liang Hao
- Department of Chemistry, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China;
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-Evidence Sciences, Shenyang 110122, China
- Center of Forensic Investigation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Ting Liu
- China Medical University—The Queen’s University Belfast Joint College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (C.Z.); (B.P.); (D.V.); (T.Y.); (Z.C.)
| | - Yang Wang
- China Medical University—The Queen’s University Belfast Joint College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; (C.Z.); (B.P.); (D.V.); (T.Y.); (Z.C.)
- Department of Chemistry, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China;
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio-Evidence Sciences, Shenyang 110122, China
- Center of Forensic Investigation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
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