Injectable Hydrogel: A Breakthrough in Targeted Cancer Treatment

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

Indian researchers from IIT-Guwahati and the Bose Institute, Kolkata, have developed an innovative injectable hydrogel designed for localized cancer treatment.

About Injectable Hydrogel:

The hydrogel is an advanced polymer-based material that serves as a stable reservoir for anti-cancer drugs.
How It Works: It releases the drugs in a controlled manner, targeting only cancerous cells while sparing healthy tissues from harmful side effects.
Made from ultra-short peptides that remain insoluble in biological fluids, ensuring localized action.
Reacts to elevated glutathione (GSH) levels, a molecule abundant in tumour cells, releasing drugs only where needed.
Water-based, mimicking living tissues, making it ideal for biomedical applications.
The hydrogel’s design allows it to interact harmoniously with the biological environment, providing targeted therapy.
While the current focus is on breast cancer, the hydrogel’s adaptability could extend its use to other cancer types.

What is Hydrogel?

Made of polymers that form a three-dimensional network.
Contains hydrophilic (water-attracting) components, allowing it to absorb and retain significant amounts of water or biological fluids.
Soft and flexible, closely mimicking the mechanical properties of living tissues.
Can be engineered to remain stable or degrade over time, depending on the application.
Biocompatible and non-toxic, making it ideal for medical uses.
Used in drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, wound dressings, and implants.
Can respond to environmental changes like pH, temperature, or specific molecules.
Found in diapers (superabsorbent polymers), agriculture (soil hydration), and cosmetics (moisturizers and gel-based products).