Mechanistic studies of hydrogels in oral cancer treatment: Synergistic effects of drug delivery and immune modulation

Oral cancer ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumors of the head and neck, comprising 1%-2% of all global malignancies. Despite advancements in surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, challenges remain in oral cancer treatment, including high recurrence rates, severe side effects, and limited efficacy. Hydrogels, biocompatible materials with a three-dimensional network structure, have emerged as promising candidates in oral cancer therapy due to their dual roles in drug delivery and immune modulation. This review examines the contribution of hydrogels to oral cancer treatment through their synergistic control of drug release and localized immune activation. By enabling targeted, stimuli-responsive drug release, and enhancing local immune responses, hydrogels reduce systemic toxicity and improve treatment precision. When integrated with advanced approaches such as gene therapy and immune modulation, hydrogels hold potential to further amplify therapeutic efficacy. Although preclinical results are promising, clinical translation requires addressing scalability, quality control, and long-term safety concerns. With ongoing development, hydrogels are positioned to become vital tools in the treatment of oral cancer, periodontitis, and other oral diseases.