Polydopamine composite hydrogel

NIR-triggered release

An injectable all-in-one nanocomposite hydrogel that synergistically combines NIR-triggered chemotherapy release and photothermal therapy, enhancing antitumor efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity.

Mengxia, Guan · Wenlong, Kan · Jiaqi, Tang · Tao, Chen · Wu, Chunxia · Jing, Xia · Dong, Jiang · Shuyao, Zhong · Xingwang, Yang · Yan, Zou · Lihua, Zhou · Li, Xuefeng · Liu, Dongfang · Yuan-Yuan, Zhang

Chemical Engineering Journal 2026

Advantages

Localized delivery reduces systemic toxicity

The hydrogel retains DOX at the tumor site, significantly reducing its systemic exposure and thus mitigating chemotherapy-induced systemic toxicity.

NIR light enhances drug release

Under NIR irradiation, the photothermal effect promotes the release of DOX from the hydrogel, significantly increasing its release rate.

Injectable and biocompatible

The hydrogel system consists of polydopamine and carboxymethyl chitosan, exhibiting excellent injectability and high biocompatibility, which facilitates local administration.

Synergistic therapy enhances antitumor efficacy

The combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy effectively promotes tumor cell apoptosis and inhibits proliferation, achieving highly efficient tumor growth suppression in animal models.

Applications

• Localized tumor chemotherapy：The hydrogel confines DOX to the tumor site, reducing systemic toxicity for safer localized chemotherapy.
• Photothermal therapy：Polydopamine's photothermal effect generates heat under NIR light to directly kill tumor cells.
• Injectable hydrogels：The injectable precursor solution can gel in situ at the tumor site for localized, sustained drug delivery.
• Drug delivery systems：Mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles load DOX and enable NIR-controlled release.
• Tumor microenvironment-responsive materials：The system responds to NIR light (external stimulus) for on-demand drug release and photothermal effect.