Research Projects

This project addresses the challenge of treating peritoneal metastases, a common and difficult-to-treat progression of advanced gastrointestinal and gynecological cancers. Due to their diffuse nature and limited response to systemic therapies, innovative localized treatment strategies are urgently needed. The proposed solution is a multifunctional hydrogel platform capable of delivering radiosensitizers and immune checkpoint inhibitors directly into the peritoneal cavity. Uniquely, the system integrates mild hyperthermia (~42°C) to enhance radiosensitivity and stimulate immune cell infiltration. The hydrogel serves as a depot for controlled, sustained drug release and includes thermo-responsive, biodegradable, and trackable components to ensure safety and efficacy. This localized approach reduces off-target toxicity while potentially inducing systemic antitumor immunity, including abscopal effects to target distant micrometastases. Unlike conventional radioimmunotherapy, this system is specifically tuned for the peritoneal environment and offers real-time monitoring with hyperthermia, low dose radiation thus helping achieve better patient compliance. The project aligns with global trends in precision oncology and has the potential to transform treatment paradigms for peritoneal metastasis through a minimally invasive, immune-responsive, and adaptable therapeutic platform.