Development of Advanced Injectable Hydrogel for Cancer Treatment

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) and the Bose Institute, Kolkata have innovated an advanced injectable hydrogel for targeted cancer therapy, focusing primarily on breast cancer treatment.

Key Features of the Hydrogel

• Controlled Drug Release: Acts as a stable reservoir for anti-cancer drugs, ensuring controlled release while safeguarding healthy cells. 
• Localized Treatment: Designed to address limitations of traditional methods like chemotherapy and surgery, particularly for hard-to-reach internal tumors. 

Hydrogel Composition and Mechanism

• Structure: Composed of water-based, three-dimensional polymer networks mirroring living tissues, suitable for biomedical applications. 
• Composition: Utilizes ultra-short peptides, which are biocompatible and biodegradable. 
• Mechanism: Responds to high levels of glutathione (GSH) found in tumor cells to trigger controlled drug release, minimizing interaction with healthy tissues. 

Research Findings and Efficacy

• Preclinical Trials: Demonstrated significant efficacy in a murine model of breast cancer, with a ~75% reduction in tumor size within 18 days post a single injection. 
• Drug Delivery: The hydrogel localizes at the tumor site, releasing drugs steadily and reducing systemic side effects. 
• Advantages: Enhances drug effectiveness and reduces dosage requirements, minimizing toxicity and promoting cancer cell death. 

Implications

This innovative approach exemplifies how scientific advancements can address urgent needs in cancer treatment by offering precision drug delivery, improving drug uptake, inducing cell cycle arrest, and supporting programmed cell death.