In Situ Nanotransformable Hydrogel for Chemo-Photothermal Therapy of Localized Tumors and Targeted Therapy of Highly Metastatic Tumors

Metastasis is one of the predisposing factors for cancer-related mortalities worldwide. Patients with advanced cancers (stage IV) receive palliative care with minimal possibility of achieving complete remission. Antibody- based therapeutic modalities are capable of targeting tumors that are confined to a particular location but are ineffective in targeting distant secondary tumors. In the current study, we have developed a smart nanotransforming hydrogel (NTG) that transforms in situ to polymeric nanoparticles ( PA NPs) of 100-150 nm when injected subcutaneously. These nanoparticles targeted the primary and secondary metastatic tumors for up to similar to 5 and similar to 3 days, respectively. The in situ-formed PA NPs also demonstrated a pH-responsive drug release resulting in about similar to 80% release within 100 h at 5.8 pH. When tested in vivo, substantial inhibition of lung metastases was observed compared to chemotherapy, thus demonstrating the efficiency of nanotransforming hydrogels in targeting and inhibiting primary and secondary metastatic tumors.

Automated summary

The study developed a smart nanotransforming hydrogel that transformed in situ into polymeric nanoparticles capable of targeting primary and secondary metastatic tumors. The nanoparticles exhibited pH-responsive drug release and demonstrated efficient inhibition of lung metastases in vivo, compared to chemotherapy.