Hydrogel-Based Drug Delivery for Cancer Immunotherapy: Design, Advances, and Applications - A Comprehensive Review.

Hydrogels have attracted significant attention in the realm of vaccine development due to their unique attributes, which include compatibility with living tissues, a considerable water content, and modifiable physical traits. This article examines the utilisation of hydrogels in the process of vaccine development. Hydrogels function as adaptable vehicles for the transportation of vaccines, providing benefits including prolonged release, safeguarding against degradation of antigens, and precise administration to particular cells or tissues. The application of hydrogel matrices to encapsulate antigens and adjuvants has the potential to improve the stability, immunogenicity, and effectiveness of vaccines. Due to their distinctive attributes, they are exemplary contenders for drug delivery systems. Hydrogels are specifically engineered to facilitate the co-administration of therapeutic agents, including immune cells, cytokines, and monoclonal antibodies, with the aim of augmenting the therapeutic effectiveness of malignancy. Moreover, hydrogel-based vaccines can be administered via various routes, including injection, patches, or implants, providing flexibility and convenience in vaccination. Challenges such as formulation optimization, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory approval remain, but the continued research and development of hydrogel-based vaccines hold promise for improving vaccination strategies and addressing global health challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]