Theranostic magnetic hydrogels for treatment, recurrence prevention, tumour modelling and emerging applications in breast cancer management: A review.

Multifunctional magnetic hydrogels are emerging as promising biomaterials for cancer therapy, integrating diagnostic imaging with therapeutic functions. As the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, breast cancer continues to pose significant treatment challenges due to limitations in conventional therapies, including systemic toxicity and suboptimal targeting. Magnetic hydrogels address these limitations by combining soft tissue-mimicking polymer networks with embedded magnetic nanoparticles. These hydrogels enable magnetically triggered drug release, localized hyperthermia, imaging guidance and multi-stimuli responsiveness. Recent preclinical studies report specific absorption rate (SAR) values typically in the range of 50-500 W/g, drug loading efficiencies exceeding 60-90% and tumour inhibition rates above 80% in the in vivo models, demonstrating their therapeutic potential. This review provides a concise overview of the composition, structural design, synthesis strategies and mechanistic principles of magnetic hydrogels. It highlights functional attributes of magnetic hydrogels such as injectability, shear-thinning behaviour, tunable porosity, biodegradability and mechanical responsiveness that support breast cancer therapy. We critically analyze recent advances in targeted drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia, MRI-guided therapy, combinatorial treatments, post-surgical recurrence prevention and tumour modelling, with emphasis on how magnetic nanoparticle integration improves therapeutic precision and multifunctionality. The review primarily focuses on preclinical systems while also discussing early translational considerations. Current challenges, including limitations in magnetic field penetration, heat control, long-term biosafety and structural stability, are also discussed. Overall, magnetic hydrogels demonstrate significant potential as theranostic platforms, although further clinical validation is required for translation into real-time breast cancer management.