Multi-stimuli responsive hydrogels derived from hyaluronic acid for cancer therapy application

One of the most promising strategies for the controlled release of therapeutic molecules is stimuli-responsive and biodegradable hydrogels developed from natural polymers. However, current strategies to development stimuli responsive hydrogels lack precise control over drug release profile and use cytotoxic materials during preparation. To address these issues, multi-stimuli responsive hydrogels derived from hyaluronic acid and diselenide based cross-linker were developed for the controlled release of doxorubicin (DOX). Hydrogels were rapidly formed via an inverse electron demand Diels-Alder click chemistry and encapsulated DOX/indocyanine green (ICG) in their porous networks. The hydrogels showed a rapid release of DOX in acidic (pH 5), reducing (10 mmol DTT), and oxidizing medium (0.5% H2O2), and after NIR irradiation. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that hydrogels were highly cytocompatible and the DOX-loaded hydrogels induced similar anti-tumor effect as compared to that of the free-DOX. Furthermore, DOX + ICG loaded hydrogels increased the antitumor efficacy of DOX after NIR irradiation.

Automated summary

Researchers developed stimuli-responsive hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid and diselenide cross-linker for controlled drug release. These hydrogels exhibited rapid drug release under acidic, reducing, oxidizing, and NIR irradiation conditions, and showed good cytocompatibility and anti-tumor effect.