Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) and Bose Institute Kolkata have created an injectable hydrogel for targeted cancer therapy, delivering anti-cancer drugs directly to tumor sites and minimizing the side effects associated with chemotherapy. The study, published in Materials Horizons, details the hydrogel's effectiveness in preclinical trials on a murine model of breast cancer.
Overcoming Limitations of Traditional Cancer Treatments
Conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and surgery face significant limitations. Chemotherapy's systemic delivery affects both cancerous and healthy cells, leading to harmful side effects. Surgical removal of tumors is not always feasible, especially for internal organs. To address these challenges, Prof. Debapratim Das and his team at IIT Guwahati designed a hydrogel that ensures localized drug action.
Hydrogel Design and Mechanism
The hydrogel is a water-based, three-dimensional polymer network that mimics living tissues, making it suitable for biomedical applications. Composed of ultra-short peptides, the hydrogel remains insoluble in biological fluids, ensuring it stays localized at the injection site. It responds to elevated glutathione (GSH) levels, a molecule abundant in tumor cells. Upon encountering high GSH levels, the hydrogel triggers a controlled release of the chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin directly into the tumor.
Preclinical Efficacy
In preclinical trials, a single injection of the Doxorubicin-loaded hydrogel resulted in a ~75% reduction in tumor size within 18 days. The hydrogel remained localized at the tumor site, steadily releasing the drug over time without causing detectable side effects on other organs. Laboratory studies demonstrated that the hydrogel improves drug uptake by cancer cells, induces cell cycle arrest, and promotes programmed cell death.
Future Directions
Further studies are underway to determine the maximum tumor size reduction achievable with a single dose and to explore the hydrogel's efficacy against other types of tumors. The researchers plan to pursue clinical trials and are seeking an appropriate partner for this endeavor.
Prof. Debapratim Das stated, "This work exemplifies how scientific innovation can directly address the pressing needs of cancer treatment. The hydrogel’s unique properties allow it to work in harmony with the biological environment, offering precision where it is needed most. We are excited by its potential to transform our thoughts about localized drug delivery."
