Integration of Nanotechnology with Hydrogel: A Promising Strategy for Cancer Therapy

Introduction: Hydrogels are highly versatile materials in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications due to their excellent biocompatibility, tenable properties, and ability to mimic the natural extracellular matrix. These three-dimensional polymeric networks exhibit outstanding waterretention capacity, making them ideal for use in tissue engineering, wound healing, and controlled drug delivery systems. Recent advances in hydrogel technology have led to the development of "smart" hydrogels that respond to external stimuli such as pH, temperature, and specific biomolecular interactions, significantly enhancing their potential for targeted therapies. Functionalization with bioactive molecules and integration with nanotechnology have further broadened their scope, enabling applications in regenerative medicine and precision healthcare. Despite these promising developments, challenges remain—particularly concerning large-scale production, mechanical strength, and controlled degradation kinetics. Methods: To obtain the necessary data, the procedure involves thoroughly searching multiple databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SciFinder, for citations relevant to the topic under investigation. Results: This study provides a comprehensive overview of hydrogel classification, synthesis methods, physicochemical properties, and biological applications. It also explores innovative strategies to overcome existing limitations. The integration of hydrogels with cutting-edge technologies such as 3D bioprinting, nanomedicine, and artificial intelligence underscores their growing significance in translational medicine. Conclusion: By combining the aforementioned advantages, hydrogel materials have emerged as a breakthrough in cancer treatment, offering promising potential to enhance both the survival rate and quality of life for cancer patients.