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Smart Hydrogels – Synthetic Stimuli-Responsive Antitumor Drug Release Systems
Authors Kasiński A, Zielińska-Pisklak M, Oledzka E, Sobczak M
Received 9 February 2020
Accepted for publication 28 March 2020
Published 25 June 2020 Volume 2020:15 Pages 4541—4572
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S248987
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 2
Editor who approved publication: Prof. Dr. Thomas J. Webster
Adam Kasiński, Monika Zielińska-Pisklak, Ewa Oledzka, Marcin Sobczak
Department of Biomaterials Chemistry, Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-097, Poland
Correspondence: Marcin Sobczak Tel +48-22-572-07-55
Email marcin.sobczak@wp.pl
Abstract: Among modern drug formulations, stimuli-responsive hydrogels also called “smart hydrogels” deserve a special attention. The basic feature of this system is the ability to change their mechanical properties, swelling ability, hydrophilicity, bioactive molecules permeability, etc., influenced by various stimuli, such as temperature, pH, electromagnetic radiation, magnetic field and biological factors. Therefore, stimuli-responsive matrices can be potentially used in tissue engineering, cell cultures and technology of innovative drug delivery systems (DDSs), releasing the active substances under the control of internal or external stimuli. Moreover, smart hydrogels can be used as injectable DDSs, due to gel–sol transition connected with in situ cross-linking process. Innovative smart hydrogel DDSs can be utilized as matrices for targeted therapy, which enhances the effectiveness of tumor chemotherapy and subsequently limits systemic toxicity. External stimulus sensitivity allows remote control over the drug release profile and gel formation. On the other hand, internal factors provide drg accumulation in tumor tissue and reduce the concentration of active drug form in healthy tissue. In this report, we summarise the basic knowledge and chemical strategies for the synthetic smart hydrogel DDSs applied in antitumor therapy.
Keywords: smart hydrogels, stimuli-responsive hydrogels, controlled release, drug delivery systems, anticancer drug delivery systems
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