Localized
therapy using
hydrogels-based drug delivery system (DDS) is a promising strategy for the treatment of diseases such as
cancer in superficial tissues. In this study, we presented a facile method to prepare core-shell
hydrogel fibers/scaffolds with controlled
drug delivery and designed structures for the treatment of the residual
breast cancer and prevention of local recurrence after surgery. Mixtures of
polydopamine (PDA) and concentrated
alginate inks (15.3 wt%) as the shell layer, and
drug-loaded temperature-sensitive
hydrogels as the core part were co-injected and coaxial 3D printed into core-shell
hydrogel fibers and scaffolds. Under near infrared (NIR) irradiation, PDA with excellent photothermal effect could raise the temperature of core-shell fibers, which induced the gel-
sol transition of the core
gels, and subsequently resulted in the drug release from the loosened
hydrogel network. The photothermal effect and the released drugs could eliminate
cancer effectively. Thus, our prepared core/shell fibers and scaffolds with NIR-triggered on-demand drug release would be promising candidates to fill the cavity of breast tissues after surgical resection of
cancer achieving a
therapeutic effect for the residual and recurred
cancer.