Guwahati, Jan 2 (NationPress) A group of researchers from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati and Bose Institute Kolkata has engineered a cutting-edge injectable hydrogel for precise treatment of breast cancer.
This state-of-the-art hydrogel-based therapy delivers anti-cancer medications directly to the tumour sites, significantly diminishing the side effects typically linked with traditional cancer therapies such as surgery, which can be impractical for internal organs, and chemotherapy that often results in severe adverse effects.
Hydrogels are water-based, three-dimensional polymer networks capable of absorbing and retaining fluids. Their distinctive structure mimics living tissues, rendering them ideal for biomedical applications.
The newly crafted hydrogel functions as a stable reservoir for anti-cancer drugs and releases them in a controlled fashion, reacting to specific conditions within the tumour microenvironment, stated Prof. Debpratim Das, Department of Chemistry at IIT Guwahati.
This hydrogel, made from ultra-short peptides—biocompatible and biodegradable protein building blocks—is designed to remain insoluble in biological fluids, ensuring it remains localized at the injection site.
It responds to elevated levels of glutathione (GSH), a molecule prevalent in tumour cells.
When encountering high GSH levels, the hydrogel initiates a controlled drug release directly into the tumour, minimizing its interaction with healthy tissues and decreasing systemic side effects.
“This research illustrates how scientific advancement can directly meet the urgent demands of cancer treatment. The hydrogel’s distinctive properties enable it to function in harmony with the biological environment, providing precision where it is most needed. We are enthusiastic about its potential to reshape our approach to localized drug delivery,” remarked Das.
The research team, during preclinical trials, evaluated the hydrogel on a murine model of breast cancer and observed impressive efficacy, revealing their findings.
Within 18 days, a single injection of the hydrogel loaded with the chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin resulted in an approximately 75 percent decrease in tumour size.
Crucially, the hydrogel remained localized at the tumour site. It steadily released the drug over time without causing noticeable side effects on other organs.
This innovative delivery system amplifies the drug's efficacy while reducing the necessary dosage, thus mitigating toxicity.
The team highlighted that additional laboratory studies demonstrated that the hydrogel enhances drug uptake by cancer cells. It also induces cell cycle arrest and promotes programmed cell death, thereby attacking tumours on multiple fronts.
