Smart biomaterials, gels, drug delivery and the giant

Section snippets

Innovations in inflammation and cancer therapy

Hoffman's vision of biomaterials as active partners with biology is reflected in advances that address inflammation and cancer. Torchilin and co-workers reviewed neutrophil extracellular traps as targets for nanomaterial-based interventions, highlighting DNase I and related agents to dismantle pathogenic traps and recalibrate inflammation [1]. In cancer, Kwon examined macropinocytosis as an actionable uptake pathway, outlining nanoplatform designs that exploit tumor-associated endocytosis while

Advancing biomaterials for vascularization and brain-targeted delivery

Hoffman often emphasized the need for biomaterials to harmonize with physiology, a theme that resonates in new strategies to promote tissue integration and overcome delivery barriers. Sefton's work with polyacrylate scaffolds demonstrated how engineered biomaterials can guide vascularization and improve implant performance, underscoring the principle of materials-directed healing [7]. Extending this philosophy to neurological disease, Yun reported advances in intranasal delivery with

Smart and responsive biointerfaces

Hoffman's groundbreaking contributions to stimuli-responsive hydrogels continue to inspire biomaterials that interact dynamically with their environment. Nakayama's visible-light responsive coatings enabled on-demand release of intact cell sheets, reframing the cell-material interface as an active therapeutic tool rather than a passive support [9]. Kikuchi demonstrated how thermoresponsive core-corona particles can be tuned to regulate phagocytosis, directly linking nanoscale structure to

Translational biomaterials

Hoffman believed that biomaterials should address real clinical needs, a principle reflected in recent advances across inflammation, regeneration, and oncology. Mao developed a long-acting anti-TNF-α injectable for ulcerative colitis [12]. Kim and Tae advanced wound repair using collagen-binding extracellular vesicles and antioxidant hydrogels [13,14]. Yang applied HPMA polymer conjugates to regulate apoptosis in colon cancer [15]. Similarly, Park and co-workers highlighted bioadhesives and

Nucleotide-based therapeutics

Hoffman's pioneering emphasis on polymers and controlled release resonated strongly in the fast-emerging field of RNA therapeutics. Miyata and co-workers introduced silica-coated polyion complexes that stabilized pulmonary mRNA and improved mucosal delivery by tuning silica-layer integrity [20], while Hahn demonstrated transdermal siVEGF delivery using hyaluronate-coated lipid nanoparticles to suppress angiogenesis in skin cancer [21]. Kataoka further defined structure–function relationships

Allan Hoffman's scientific leadership and mentorship

Ratner offered a historically grounded appraisal of Hoffman's scientific leadership, showing how the engineering of hydrogels, the pursuit of stimuli responsiveness, and a focus on quantitative biointerfaces redefined controlled release as a design science [26]. He emphasized that Hoffman viewed materials not as passive carriers but as active partners with biology. This perspective inspired generations of researchers to couple mechanics, transport, and interfacial chemistry for therapeutic

Global tributes to Hoffman's enduring impact

The Allan Hoffman Memorial Session at the 15th International Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical Polymers (FBPS), September 22–26, 2025, in Porto, Portugal, was chaired by Buddy Ratner and Daniel Cohn in tribute to Hoffman's profound influence on the field (Fig. 2). Ratner reflected on Hoffman's legacy in dialysis, followed by Cohn's talk on 3D printing for cardiac devices. The program continued with presentations by Devid Maniglio on biopolymer-based nanotraps, Horacio Cabral on polymeric