A polydopamine nanoparticles-blended carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel for integrated postoperative management of breast cancer: Preventing recurrence/metastasis and promoting wound healing.

Tumor recurrence, metastasis, and impaired post-surgical wound healing represent significant clinical challenges that severely hinder the effectiveness of cancer therapies. To address these issues, a novel doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded photothermal hydrogel (CCPD) was synthesized through the Schiff-base reactions between oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (OCMC), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), and polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs). The CCPD regimen involving near-infrared laser (NIR, 808 nm) irradiation (CCPD + NIR) demonstrated remarkable efficacy in preventing the recurrence of 4T1 tumors by combining DOX's chemotherapy with photothermal therapy (PTT) of PDA NPs. Specifically, prolonged DOX accumulation at the tumor site ensured continuous anti-tumor activity, while local hyperthermia-induced ablation of residual tumor cells minimized recurrence. Moreover, the cargo-free hydrogel (CCP) upon NIR irradiation (CCP + NIR) promoted significant wound healing, accelerating recovery of post-surgical tumor resection wounds. These findings collectively highlighted the dual functionality of the CCPD + NIR regimen, which not only effectively prevented tumor recurrence and metastasis but also promoted wound healing, bridging the critical gap between effective tumor therapy and post-operative tissue regeneration. This multifunctional therapeutic strategy offers a promising approach to improve the prognosis of cancer patients by optimizing integrated tumor treatment and postoperative rehabilitation regimens.