Theranostic Applications of Hydrogels and Ferrogels: From Laboratory to Clinics

By combining therapeutic and diagnostic qualities, hydrogels and ferrogels (HG-FGs) are innovative materials that show significant potential in a range of medical fields. By delivering chemotherapeutic medications directly to tumor areas, these hydrogels reduce damage to healthy tissues and are used in oncology for targeted drug delivery. Additionally, by including imaging agents, they enable real-time tracking of tumor growth and treatment outcomes, facilitating tailored therapy. This chapter explores how HG-FGs precisely release anti-inflammatory drugs to improve function and lessen joint pain in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Additionally, the present chapter details how these HG-FGs effectively improve hemostasis and accelerate wound healing for diabetes and cardiovascular disease by releasing regenerative medications that help in the repair of damaged tissues. By delivering antiviral or antibacterial medications directly to infection sites and incorporating techniques for detecting pathogen biomarkers, these hydrogels have the potential to increase diagnostic accuracy in the treatment of infectious illnesses. The chapter also explains how HG-FG designs are becoming more focused on incorporating unique patient features, leading to more specialized treatment strategies. These specific application areas showcase the HG-FGs’ great potential to transform drug administration, diagnostics, and treatment monitoring standards in modern medicine by showcasing their adaptability and creativity.