<i>In situ</i> Thermal-Responsive Magnetic Hydrogel for Multidisciplinary Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Abstract

Current surgical single modality treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were restricted by recurrence, blood loss, significant trauma, and poor prognostic. Although multidisciplinary strategies for HCC treatment have been highly recommended by the clinical guidelines, there was limited choice of materials and treatments. Herein, we reported an <i>in situ</i> formed magnetic hydrogel with promising bioapplicable thermal-responsiveness, strong adhesion in wet conditions, high magnetic hyperthermia, and biocompatibility, leading to efficient HCC multidisciplinary treatment including postoperative treatment and transarterial embolization therapy. <i>In vivo</i> results indicated that this hydrogel could reduce the postoperative recurrence rate. The hemostatic ability of the thermal-responsive hydrogel was further demonstrated in both the liver scratch model and liver tumor resection. Computed tomography imaging suggested that the hydrogel could completely embolize the arterial vessels of rabbit liver tumor by vascular intervention operation, which could serve as multidisciplinary responsive materials to external magnetic field and body temperature for HCC treatment.