Injectable and responsively degradable hydrogel for personalized photothermal therapy

Biomaterials. 2016 Oct:104:129-37. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.07.013. Epub 2016 Jul 12.

Abstract

Near infrared-absorbing hydrogels are used for the repeated photothermal treatments of cancer. However, a long-term retention of hydrogel in the body leads to increased risk of toxicity. Here we developed an injectable and on-demand degradable hydrogel to conduct the repeated photothermal therapies (PTTs). Alginate-calcium hydrogel immobilized dendrimer-encapsulated platinum nanoparticles (DEPts) in its matrix represented excellent biocompatibility, and was degraded upon injecting chelates. Results from the in vivo studies reveal that the hydrogel/DEPts-mediated repeated PTTs suppressed tumor growth efficiently, and the hydrogel was degraded on-demand to allow renal secretion of DEPts out of the body. Furthermore, coating hydrogel/DEPts on the tumor instead of intratumoral injection could still ablate tumor efficiently. Our investigation provides a smart and safe hydrogel for photothermal cancer therapy.

Keywords: Cancer therapy; Non-invasive; On-demand degradation; Repeated photothermal therapy; Responsive hydrogel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorbable Implants*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / administration & dosage*
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / chemistry*
  • Hyperthermia, Induced / methods
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Metal Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy*
  • Phototherapy / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate