Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels for Radiation-Induced Skin Injury: From Passive Barriers to Autonomous Drug Delivery Systems

    January 2026 in “ Regenerative Biomaterials ”
    Kai Zhang, Chulan Xiao, Yuanyuan Wang, Caitong Zhao, Zhenghang Dong, Zhihui Li, X. Song, Chuanglong He, Yi Li
    Studysummary This study highlights that hydrogel formulations unexpectedly prolonged healing in trials, pointing to a need for design based on detailed pathophysiological insights rather than empirical methods, and suggests technologies like AI materials optimization and 3D bioprinting to aid their clinical use for cancer survivors. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    The document discusses the development of stimuli-responsive hydrogels for treating radiation-induced skin injury (RISI), which affects over 95% of radiotherapy patients. These hydrogels have evolved from passive barriers to advanced systems capable of autonomous drug delivery, responding to specific stimuli like pH and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to release therapeutic agents. The review categorizes hydrogels into three generations, highlighting the need for precision drug delivery systems that adapt to the dynamic RISI microenvironment. Despite promising advancements, challenges in clinical translation, such as regulatory complexity and manufacturing scalability, remain. The integration of AI, 3D bioprinting, and personalized medicine is expected to transform RISI management, improving patient outcomes and cancer treatment effectiveness.
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