Advances in hybrid hydrogel design for biomedical applications: innovations in drug delivery and tissue engineering for gynecological cancers.

Abstract

Hybrid hydrogels have emerged as multifunctional biomaterials for targeted drug delivery and tissue engineering in gynecologic oncology. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the design of hybrid hydrogels that combine polymer networks with nanomaterials to achieve tunable stimuli-responsiveness, enhanced mechanical strength, and improved biocompatibility. For example, preclinical studies of folate-conjugated liposomal doxorubicin have demonstrated enhanced accumulation and antitumor efficacy in ovarian cancer models, while growth factor-loaded hydrogel scaffolds have supported endometrial repair in rodent models. We discuss strategies for optimizing drug loading, controlling spatiotemporal release profiles in response to tumor-specific cues (such as pH or enzyme activity), and customizing scaffold architecture for patient-specific regenerative needs. Implementation challenges-including efficient encapsulation of multiple cargos, precise control over degradation rates, and scale-up for clinical manufacturing-are critically examined. Finally, we outline future directions, including multifunctional platforms that integrate real-time monitoring with combined chemo-immunotherapy and approaches to address regulatory and translation hurdles. This evidence-based analysis highlights how hybrid hydrogels can advance precision therapy and regenerative medicine for gynecologic cancers while there is a need for further validation in clinical settings.