Bacterial ghosts embedded in natural hydrogels as drug delivery vehicles for cancer treatment.

ABSTRACT: The growing complexity of cancer treatment requires new drug delivery systems that improve the effectiveness of therapy and reduce adverse effects. This study explores the potential of using bacterial ghosts (BGs) in combination with hydrogels to develop a targeted drug delivery system for cancer treatment. BGs, based on non-pathogenic bacteria, offer several distinct advantages, including biocompatibility, maintenance of immunogenicity, and effective encapsulation of therapeutic agents. The BG-hydrogel system enhances stability and controlled release of encapsulated drugs, which enhances the therapeutic window of drugs. Herein, the BGs were loaded with the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) and subsequently encapsulated in four different hydrogels, namely agarose, agar, aloe vera, and sodi

SUBMITTER: Mehmood A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12922019 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature