Stimuli-responsive hydrogels for radiation-induced skin injury: from passive barriers to autonomous drug delivery systems
Zhang K., Xiao C., Wang Y., Zhao C., Dong Z., Li Z.
Narrative Review, published in Regen Biomater (2026) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.
Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.
- Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
- Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
- Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
- Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
- Emerging · Emerging topic under active research
This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.
- Study type
- Narrative Review
- Journal
- Regen Biomater (2026)
- Reported sample size
- —
- Source database
- Europe PMC
- PMID
- 42005816
- PMCID
- PMC13091655
- DOI
- 10.1093/rb/rbag056
Abstract (original English)
Radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) affects over 95% of radiotherapy patients. Current clinical management remains confined to passive supportive care, lacking mechanistic precision for RISI's unique pathophysiology. This review adopts a function-centric perspective, classifying hydrogel systems across three generations: first-generation passive moisture barriers; second-generation bioactive platforms incorporating antioxidants, growth factors, stem cells and exosomes; and third-generation stimuli-responsive systems integrating autonomous drug release, self-healing capabilities and biosensor monitoring. We establish quantitative design thresholds by correlating RISI microenvironment parameters (pH 6.5-7.0, ROS 100-500 μM, MMP-9 elevation 5-10×) with responsive polymer specifications. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis has identified pro-inflammatory IL-17 + secretory fibroblasts and dysfunctional lymphatic endothelial cells as key dysregulated populations, thereby defining precise cellular targets amenable to hydrogel-based intervention. However, randomized trials demonstrate that certain hydrogel formulations unexpectedly prolonged healing, underscoring the need for design strategies based on quantitative pathophysiological insights rather than passive empiricism. We systematically examine enabling technologies-AI-guided materials optimization, 3D bioprinting and wearable bi
What this study does not prove
- • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
- • This is a narrative review: it collects no new patient data and does not systematically appraise evidence quality.
Evidence level
Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.
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