Smart Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels in Targeted Drug Delivery

Hydrogels possess high water content and physical resemblance to the natural extracellular matrix, rendering them ideal candidates for biomedical applications. In recent years, our laboratory has focused on engineering "smart" responsive hydrogels capable of modulating their swelling and degradation kinetics in response to environmental cues.

Dual-Responsive Targeting Mechanisms

Solid tumor microenvironments consistently exhibit acidosis (pH 6.2–6.8) and slight hyperthermia compared to healthy tissues. By synthesizing polyampholytic and thermosensitive polymer blends, we achieve tight encapsulation at physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37°C) with triggered rapid release selectively at tumor sites.

“Targeted release strategies substantially reduce off-target organ damage, providing safer therapeutic windows for potent chemotherapeutic drugs.”