Integrated Hydrogel Platform for Programmed Antitumor Therapy Based on Near Infrared-Triggered Hyperthermia and Vascular Disruption

Complete tumor regression is a great challenge faced by single therapy of near-infrared (NIR)-triggered hyperthermia or vascular disrupting agents. An injectable nanocomposite (NC) hydrogel is rationally designed for combined anticancer therapy based on NIR-triggered hyperthermia and vascular disruption. The NC hydrogel, codelivered with Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles and combretastatin A4 (CA4), has good shear-thinning, self-recovery, and excellent photothermal properties. Because of the remarkable tumor-site retention and sustained release of CA4 (about 10% over 12 days), the NC hydrogel has a tumor suppression rate of 99.6%. The programmed combinational therapy conveys the concept of "attack + guard", where PB-based NIR irradiation imposes intensive attack on most of cancer cells, and CA4 serves as a guard against the tumor growth by cutting off the energy supply. Moreover, the biosafety and eco-friendliness of the hydrogel platform pave the way toward clinical applications.