Aptamer Functionalized Hydrogel Dressings for Post-Surgery Tumor Recurrence Inhibition and Tissue Reconstruction

Tumor post-surgical therapy faces two critical challenges of local tumor recurrence and tissue repairing. Residual tumor cells pose a significant risk for recurrence and metastasis, while post-operative wound complications hinder patient recovery. Inflammatory responses from surgical trauma further exacerbate tumor regrowth and delay healing. Hydrogels, particularly DNA-based hydrogels, emerge as promising biomaterials for regenerative medicine. Their unique properties, including biocompatibility, programmability, and specific molecular recognition, make them suitable candidates for dual-function wound dressings. In this study, DNA aptamer-functionalized gelatin (Apt-GelMA) hydrogels are developed incorporating anti-HGF c-Met and anti-EGFR CL-4 aptamers. The Apt-GelMA hydrogel significantly suppresses local tumor regrowth while accelerating wound healing through enhanced cell adhesion and migration. Additionally, after attaching aptamers to the polymer chains, their stability or resistance to degradation is greatly improved. The results demonstrate Apt-GelMA as a promising post-surgical dressing with dual therapeutic functions, offering future potential clinical applications.