Vincenzo Montanarella1, Marcelo Guerrero2,3, David Filho2,3, Júlia German-Cortés1, Giacomoluciano Vitelli1, Magalí Sureda1, Carlos Pavón Regaña1, Roser Ferrer1,4, Simó Schwartz1,4, Esteban Durán-Lara2,3, Fernanda Andrade1,5,*, Diana Rafael1,6,*
Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.074061
- 23 March 2026
Abstract Despite remarkable advances in nanomedicine, localized delivery of advanced cancer therapeutics remains underexploited. Advanced therapies based on biopharmaceuticals, immunotherapy, or gene therapy have revolutionized oncology. Yet, their systemic administration is often associated with limitations such as poor site-specific accumulation, instability, and systemic toxicity. Hydrogels/macrogels offer the ability to encapsulate, protect, and release biomolecules in situ with sustained and stimulus-responsive profiles, addressing key translational gaps. This review provides a focused synthesis of the last five years of hydrogel-based research for cancer therapy, with emphasis on peptides, antibodies, immunotherapeutic agents, and gene delivery systems. We discuss design principles,… More >
Graphic Abstract