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February 5, 2026Advanced Functional Materials2 citations

Natural Microgels Overcome Nanoparticle Retention Barriers for Hyperthermia and Tumor Regression

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YLYu‐Chien LinDJDongping JiangYCYoung Hwan Choe

Key Points

  • The aim is to enhance tumor retention and efficacy of nanoparticle-based hyperthermia using biodegradable microgels.
  • Developed biodegradable microgels from sunflower pollen.
  • Coated microgels with cationic liposomes to facilitate nanoparticle assembly.
  • Evaluated heating stability and tumor retention in vivo under alternating magnetic fields.
  • Achieved stable heating at 44.9°C for 21 days, outperforming free nanoparticles.
  • Demonstrated near-complete tumor regression with no systemic toxicity.
  • Microgels degraded under tumor-specific conditions, ensuring safe delivery.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Clinical translation of nanoparticle (NP) based hyperthermia has long been constrained by poor tumor retention and rapid systemic clearance, resulting in transient and subtherapeutic heating. Here, we present a biodegradable, bioinspired carrier system derived from sunflower pollen microgels (PMs) that overcomes these limitations through geometry‐guided retention and tumor‐microenvironment‐responsive degradation. The spiky exine architecture of PMs, mimicking the adhesive morphology of natural pollen, enables mechanical interlocking within tumor tissue, while cationic liposome coating facilitates electrostatic assembly of Fe 3 O 4 NPs. The resulting PM/Lipo/NP composites achieve stable, homogeneous heating at therapeutic temperatures (44.9°C ± 0.3°C) under alternating magnetic fields for up to 21 days far exceeding the performance of free Fe 3 O 4 NPs (39.6°C ± 0.4°C). In vivo, this prolonged retention drives near‐complete tumor regression with no detectable systemic toxicity, and the pollen matrix gradually degrades under tumor‐relevant oxidative conditions (H 2 O 2 , pH 6.5). This study presents a structure‐driven delivery concept, showing that bioinspired microgels can function as biodegradable, shape‐anchored platforms for sustained magnetic hyperthermia and effective local cancer therapy.

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Cite This Study

Lin et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6984360af1d9ada3c1fb5968https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202530453
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