Integrated Hydrogel Platform for Programmed Anti-Tumor 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 anti-cancer therapy based on NIR-triggered hyperthermia and vascular disruption. The NC hydrogel, co-delivered with Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles and combretastatin A4 (CA4), has good shear-thinning, self-recovery and excellent photothermal property. Due to 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 a concept of "attack + guard", where PB-based NIR irradiation impose intensive attack on most of cancer cells, and CA4 serves as guard against the tumor growth by cutting off the energy supply. Moreover, the biosafety and eco-friendliness of the hydrogel platform pave the way towards clinical application.