Nanohydrogel Composites for Local Monotherapy and Dual Chemotherapy in the Management of Breast Cancer

ABSTRACT Breast carcinoma remains a major global health concern and continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer‐related mortality among women worldwide. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, locoregional recurrence after tumor resection poses substantial therapeutic challenges. The conventional postoperative systemic adjuvant therapies often result in significant toxicity and severe side effects. Hydrogels have emerged as promising platforms for localized therapy owing of their biodegradability, biocompatibility, structural flexibility, and multifunctional properties. Nonetheless, their broader clinical translation has been constrained by limitations such as inadequate mechanical strength, rapid degradation, and suboptimal stability. To address these challenges, nanomaterials have been integrated into hydrogel matrices to develop nanocomposite hydrogels that provide enhanced drug‐loading capacity, controlled and sustained release profiles, and improved synergistic effects for combination therapy. This article highlights the limitations of conventional breast cancer treatment modalities, explores the biomedical applications of hydrogels, and comprehensively summarizes the various nano‐hydrogel composites that have been developed for localized mono‐ and dual‐chemotherapy.