Squaraine-containing hydrogels: Synthesis, drug delivery and dual phototherapies

To create a multipurpose therapeutic platform, Sq@poly(HEMA-co-AA) hydrogels are made of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylic acid (AA) monomers. The SK-MEL-30 skin cancer cell line was used to test the hydrogels' therapeutic effectiveness. The Sq@poly(HEMA-co-AA) hydrogels demonstrated photodynamic therapy by producing reactive oxygen species under red light and photothermal therapy by producing hyperthermia under near-infrared light. The outcomes showed the anti-cancer potential of the hydrogels against skin cancer. Furthermore, the hydrogels did not cause toxicity in the absence of light, according to biocompatibility tests conducted on the L929 cell line. Rhodamine B was efficiently released in a light-responsive manner, following exposure to a laser at 808 nm, demonstrating the hydrogels' capability for light-triggered drug delivery. These results demonstrate the intriguing potential of Sq@poly(HEMA-co-AA) hydrogels as a flexible material for controlled release of drugs and phototherapeutic applications, especially in the treatment of skin cancer.