A hollow-tube-like hydrospongel for multimodal therapy of advanced colorectal cancer

Abstract Preserving anal function in advanced-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment remains a significant challenge. Here we introduce a hollow-tube-like hydrospongel (HTHSG) as an advanced neoadjuvant therapy. Constructed from cellulose nanofibers crosslinked with Fe3O4@PDA (polydopamine) nanopar...

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Main Authors: Tao Wu, Tenghui Li, Chengzhi Zhang, Yu Tian, Hao Li, Yuxin He, Xu Yan, Tianxing Gong, Junhua Zhao, Zhenning Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62880-x
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author Tao Wu
Tenghui Li
Chengzhi Zhang
Yu Tian
Hao Li
Yuxin He
Xu Yan
Tianxing Gong
Junhua Zhao
Zhenning Wang
author_facet Tao Wu
Tenghui Li
Chengzhi Zhang
Yu Tian
Hao Li
Yuxin He
Xu Yan
Tianxing Gong
Junhua Zhao
Zhenning Wang
author_sort Tao Wu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Preserving anal function in advanced-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment remains a significant challenge. Here we introduce a hollow-tube-like hydrospongel (HTHSG) as an advanced neoadjuvant therapy. Constructed from cellulose nanofibers crosslinked with Fe3O4@PDA (polydopamine) nanoparticles, the HTHSG combines quick swelling (~10 seconds) with high fracture strength (>250 kPa) for enhanced mechanical stability. The hydrospongel enables precise, localized delivery of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-FU directly to the tumor site. Beyond conventional chemotherapy, HTHSG employs electromagnetic induction to achieve targeted thermal ablation and chemodynamic therapy, minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissues. Comparative studies in orthotopic, cell-derived, and patient-derived xenograft models demonstrate the superior tumor-reduction efficacy of HTHSG over traditional neoadjuvant therapies. Feasibility studies in a beagle model and human-sized dummy model further validate the HTHSG’s potential for clinical application, showing preserved anal function and biocompatibility. These findings establish HTHSG as a promising pre-surgical treatment option for advanced-stage CRC, offering improved therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for patients.
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spelling doaj-art-b6d12b2cb1a04571a0aadc048dad64cd2025-08-20T04:02:54ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-0116111910.1038/s41467-025-62880-xA hollow-tube-like hydrospongel for multimodal therapy of advanced colorectal cancerTao Wu0Tenghui Li1Chengzhi Zhang2Yu Tian3Hao Li4Yuxin He5Xu Yan6Tianxing Gong7Junhua Zhao8Zhenning Wang9Department of Biomedical Engineering, Shenyang University of TechnologyDepartment of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical UniversityDepartment of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical UniversityDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Shenyang University of TechnologyDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Shenyang University of TechnologyDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical UniversityThe VIP Department, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral DiseasesDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Shenyang University of TechnologyDepartment of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical UniversityDepartment of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical UniversityAbstract Preserving anal function in advanced-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment remains a significant challenge. Here we introduce a hollow-tube-like hydrospongel (HTHSG) as an advanced neoadjuvant therapy. Constructed from cellulose nanofibers crosslinked with Fe3O4@PDA (polydopamine) nanoparticles, the HTHSG combines quick swelling (~10 seconds) with high fracture strength (>250 kPa) for enhanced mechanical stability. The hydrospongel enables precise, localized delivery of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-FU directly to the tumor site. Beyond conventional chemotherapy, HTHSG employs electromagnetic induction to achieve targeted thermal ablation and chemodynamic therapy, minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissues. Comparative studies in orthotopic, cell-derived, and patient-derived xenograft models demonstrate the superior tumor-reduction efficacy of HTHSG over traditional neoadjuvant therapies. Feasibility studies in a beagle model and human-sized dummy model further validate the HTHSG’s potential for clinical application, showing preserved anal function and biocompatibility. These findings establish HTHSG as a promising pre-surgical treatment option for advanced-stage CRC, offering improved therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for patients.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62880-x
spellingShingle Tao Wu
Tenghui Li
Chengzhi Zhang
Yu Tian
Hao Li
Yuxin He
Xu Yan
Tianxing Gong
Junhua Zhao
Zhenning Wang
A hollow-tube-like hydrospongel for multimodal therapy of advanced colorectal cancer
Nature Communications
title A hollow-tube-like hydrospongel for multimodal therapy of advanced colorectal cancer
title_full A hollow-tube-like hydrospongel for multimodal therapy of advanced colorectal cancer
title_fullStr A hollow-tube-like hydrospongel for multimodal therapy of advanced colorectal cancer
title_full_unstemmed A hollow-tube-like hydrospongel for multimodal therapy of advanced colorectal cancer
title_short A hollow-tube-like hydrospongel for multimodal therapy of advanced colorectal cancer
title_sort hollow tube like hydrospongel for multimodal therapy of advanced colorectal cancer
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62880-x
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