Recent Advances in Gel-Based Materials for Cancer Therapy
A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Chemistry and Physics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 1088
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Cancer remains a major challenge in modern medicine, demanding continuous innovation in therapeutic strategies. Conventional treatments often suffer from systemic toxicity, limited bioavailability, and poor targeting efficiency. In this context, gel-based materials, such as hydrogels, nanogels, and injectable in situ forming gels, have emerged as a revolutionary platform with unparalleled potential to overcome these hurdles. Their unique properties, such as tunable physicochemical characteristics, and responsive behavior to biological stimuli (e.g., pH, enzymes, temperature), enable precise spatial and temporal control over therapeutic delivery.
This Special Issue, titled, “Recent Advances in Gel-Based Materials for Cancer Therapy”, is dedicated to capturing the cutting-edge progress at the intersection of materials science, chemistry, biology, and oncology. We aim to compile a collection of research that bridges fundamental understanding with translational application. The scope extends from the rational design and synthesis of gel systems to a deep investigation of their interactions within the complex tumor microenvironment. Key areas of interest include but are not limited to the following: engineered gels for targeted drug, gene, or immunotherapy delivery; stimulus-responsive systems for on-demand release; multifunctional platforms combining diagnosis and therapy (theranostics); and gels designed as immunomodulatory scaffolds or for post-surgical treatment.
We invite contributions that address the fundamental structure–property–performance relationships of these materials, employing advanced characterization, modeling, and both in vitro and in vivo studies. By fostering an interdisciplinary dialogue, this Special Issue seeks to elucidate how precise control over gel chemistry, architecture, and dynamics can dictate biological outcomes. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive resource that not only highlights current breakthroughs but also stimulates novel ideas and collaborative efforts to accelerate the development of next-generation, effective, and safe gel-based therapies for cancer.
Dr. Mengyu Guo
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- gel-based materials
- cancer therapy
- drug delivery
- synthesis and characterization
- stimuli-responsive
- immunotherapy
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