Multi-stimuli-responsive Hydrogels for Therapeutic Systems: An Overview onEmerging Materials, Devices, and Drugs
Hamid Reza Garshasbi, Sina Soleymani, Seyed Morteza Naghib, M. R. Moepubi
Abstract
The rising interest in hydrogels nowadays is due to their usefulness in physiological conditions as multi-stimuli-responsive hydrogels. To reply to the prearranged stimuli, including chemical triggers, light, magnetic field, electric field, ionic strength, temperature, pH, and glucose levels, dual/multi-stimuli-sensitive gels/hydrogels display controllable variations in mechanical characteristics and swelling. Recent attention has focused on injectable hydrogel-based drug delivery systems (DDS) because of its promise to offer regulated, controlled, and targeted medication release to the tumor site. These technologies have great potential to improve treatment outcomes and lessen side effects from prolonged chemotherapy exposure.