Gel Biomaterials for Cancer Therapy and Biomedical Applications
A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 612
Special Issue Editors
Interests: biomedicine; cancer immunotherapy; immunotherapeutic biomaterials; microfluidic devices; gels
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Gel-based biomaterials represent a versatile and transformative class of materials for advancing cancer therapy and other biomedical applications. Their unique properties—such as tunable mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and capability to mimic natural extracellular matrix environments—make them invaluable in the development of innovative therapeutic platforms. From injectable scaffolds that support targeted cell and drug delivery to 3D ex vivo models to study tumor biology or screen therapeutic drugs, biomaterials offer a promising future in a diverse array of biomedical applications.
This Special Issue focuses on the design, synthesis, and application of gel biomaterials tailored for cancer therapy and broader biomedical innovations. We invite contributions that explore novel gel formulations, material–cell interactions, and translational approaches for enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Hydrogels for controlled drug or cell delivery;
- Gel-based platforms for immunotherapy or tissue regeneration;
- Injectable gels for minimally invasive cancer treatments;
- Three-dimensional gel systems for in vitro modeling of distinct microenvironments;
- Smart gels responsive to biological or environmental cues.
By gathering cutting-edge research in this field, this Special Issue aims to highlight advancements that bridge the gap between materials science and clinical applications. Submissions are encouraged from interdisciplinary teams that span biomaterials science, cancer research, bioengineering, and translational medicine.
Dr. Natalie K. Livingston
Dr. Kimberly M. Stroka
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- gel biomaterials
- hydrogels
- cancer therapy
- drug delivery systems
- tumor microenvironment
- immunotherapy
- injectable gels
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