2. Academic Validation
  3. Injectable Multifunctional Hydrogel Consisted of Ultrasonic Marker and Immune Adjust Agent in Liver Tumor Ablation: Animal Experiment's Study

Injectable Multifunctional Hydrogel Consisted of Ultrasonic Marker and Immune Adjust Agent in Liver Tumor Ablation: Animal Experiment's Study

  • Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2025 Oct 31. doi: 10.1007/s00270-025-04253-x.
Yuhan Shen # 1,  Shumin Fan # 2 3,  Bing Wang 1,  Kun Zhao 1,  Song Wang 1,  Kun Yan 1,  Bing He 4 5,  Wei Yang 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education /Beijing), Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Peking University, 52 Fucheng Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China.
  • 2 Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China.
  • 3 State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China.
  • 4 Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China. [email protected].
  • 5 State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China. [email protected].
  • 6 Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education /Beijing), Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Peking University, 52 Fucheng Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, People's Republic of China. [email protected].
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 41174321 DOI: 10.1007/s00270-025-04253-x
Abstract

Purpose: A simple and real-time method for the direct and precise identification of safety margins is needed in ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Additionally, modulation of the post-ablation immunosuppressive microenvironment is required. The aim of this study was to develop an injectable, ultrasound-visible and immunoregulatory hydrogel for ultrasonic monitoring and Adjuvant immune regulation in liver tumor ablation.

Methods: The experiment was performed in 2 steps. Step 1-The US visibility and stability of the markers were evaluated in vitro in bovine livers, followed by in vivo animal test in beagles. Step 2-Evaluation of the antitumoral effect after RFA of the specific US marker F127-MB@MSA-2, which has immunomodulating properties, in murine in vivo animal tumor models.

Results: In step 1, 24 candidate Materials were tested for ultrasound visualization in bovine liver. Among these, air, 5 mm metal stick, Pluronic F127 hydrogel microbubbles (F127-MB), polyglycolic acid (PGA) absorbable sutures, ultrasonic couplant, and calcium alginate demonstrated clear ultrasonic visibility and enduring stability in vitro and in vivo. In step 2, the antitumoral effect of F127-MB@MSA-2 after incomplete RFA was demonstrated in murine H22 and CT26 tumor models. Tumor Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining revealed that F127-MB@MSA-2 gel reduced the infiltration of tumor-promoting cells, while it increased the proportion of CD8+ T cells within the tumors after RFA.

Conclusion: Using animal models, we demonstrated the feasibility of US-guided administration of the multifunctional gel (F127-MB@MSA-2) prior to RFA, which helped to accurately ablate tumors and increase the anti-tumor effect.

Keywords

Immunomodulation; Injectable hydrogel; Liver tumor; Radiofrequency ablation; Ultrasonic localization markers.

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