Responsive biomaterials for therapeutic strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major global health burden due to its high recurrence and mortality rates. For patients with advanced HCC and compromised liver function, Pharmacotherapy has become the primary approach due to the limited efficacy of conventional treatments (e.g., surgical...

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Main Authors: Xun Liao, Junxiu Zhou, Liang Feng, Lian Wang, Hong Wu, Li Jiang, Yuanyuan Jia, Qingbin Wu, Shu Shen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1673134/full
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author Xun Liao
Junxiu Zhou
Liang Feng
Lian Wang
Hong Wu
Li Jiang
Yuanyuan Jia
Qingbin Wu
Shu Shen
author_facet Xun Liao
Junxiu Zhou
Liang Feng
Lian Wang
Hong Wu
Li Jiang
Yuanyuan Jia
Qingbin Wu
Shu Shen
author_sort Xun Liao
collection DOAJ
description Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major global health burden due to its high recurrence and mortality rates. For patients with advanced HCC and compromised liver function, Pharmacotherapy has become the primary approach due to the limited efficacy of conventional treatments (e.g., surgical resection/ablation). Nevertheless, traditional anti-tumor agents suffer from poor target selectivity, systemic toxicity, and the emergence of drug resistance. To overcome these challenges, stimuli-responsive biomaterials have been developed as innovative strategies to improve HCC management. These advanced materials enable precise spatiotemporal control of drug delivery and release, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy while reducing side effects. This review provides a systematic overview of stimuli-responsive biomaterials, classified based on their responses to endogenous cues (e.g., pH, enzymes, and redox conditions) and exogenous stimuli (e.g., light and magnetic fields). These materials show great potential in overcoming biological barriers in HCC therapy and enhancing drug delivery efficiency, thereby paving the way for future clinical applications. By analyzing recent advances, this review highlights the potential of stimuli-responsive biomaterials in advancing therapeutic strategies for HCC. Integrating these materials into HCC therapy may significantly enhance patient outcomes and revolutionize existing treatment paradigms.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2296-4185
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
spelling doaj-art-156099fd2e98465783b4616bb8076d572025-08-20T05:33:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-08-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.16731341673134Responsive biomaterials for therapeutic strategies of hepatocellular carcinomaXun Liao0Junxiu Zhou1Liang Feng2Lian Wang3Hong Wu4Li Jiang5Yuanyuan Jia6Qingbin Wu7Shu Shen8Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, ChinaTianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, ChinaTianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, ChinaTianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, ChinaTianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, ChinaTianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, ChinaTianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, ChinaColorectal Cancer Center, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major global health burden due to its high recurrence and mortality rates. For patients with advanced HCC and compromised liver function, Pharmacotherapy has become the primary approach due to the limited efficacy of conventional treatments (e.g., surgical resection/ablation). Nevertheless, traditional anti-tumor agents suffer from poor target selectivity, systemic toxicity, and the emergence of drug resistance. To overcome these challenges, stimuli-responsive biomaterials have been developed as innovative strategies to improve HCC management. These advanced materials enable precise spatiotemporal control of drug delivery and release, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy while reducing side effects. This review provides a systematic overview of stimuli-responsive biomaterials, classified based on their responses to endogenous cues (e.g., pH, enzymes, and redox conditions) and exogenous stimuli (e.g., light and magnetic fields). These materials show great potential in overcoming biological barriers in HCC therapy and enhancing drug delivery efficiency, thereby paving the way for future clinical applications. By analyzing recent advances, this review highlights the potential of stimuli-responsive biomaterials in advancing therapeutic strategies for HCC. Integrating these materials into HCC therapy may significantly enhance patient outcomes and revolutionize existing treatment paradigms.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1673134/fullhepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)responsive biomaterialsdrug deliverytumor microenvironmentcancer therapy
spellingShingle Xun Liao
Junxiu Zhou
Liang Feng
Lian Wang
Hong Wu
Li Jiang
Yuanyuan Jia
Qingbin Wu
Shu Shen
Responsive biomaterials for therapeutic strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
responsive biomaterials
drug delivery
tumor microenvironment
cancer therapy
title Responsive biomaterials for therapeutic strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_full Responsive biomaterials for therapeutic strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_fullStr Responsive biomaterials for therapeutic strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_full_unstemmed Responsive biomaterials for therapeutic strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_short Responsive biomaterials for therapeutic strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_sort responsive biomaterials for therapeutic strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma
topic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
responsive biomaterials
drug delivery
tumor microenvironment
cancer therapy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1673134/full
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