In situ gelling pH- and temperature-sensitive biodegradable block copolymer hydrogels for drug delivery

Stimuli-sensitive injectable polymeric hydrogels have been extensively investigated during the past decade as bioactive agent delivery vehicles and for tissue engineering applications. An aqueous solution of these polymers undergoes a sol-to-gel phase transition in response to external stimuli such as pH, temperature, salt, light, biomolecules, electromagnetic field, etc. Bioactive molecules or cells can be mixed into the low-viscosity state of the polymer solution and injected into the body at a target site, forming an in situ hydrogel depot, which can then serve as bioactive-molecule-releasing carriers or a cell-growing microenvironment. This review systematically summarizes the recent progress in biodegradable and injectable block copolymer hydrogels, giving special attention to the novel and promising pH- and temperature-sensitive injectable block copolymer hydrogels for biomedical applications. The gelation mechanism, formation of ionic complexes, and biodegradation are highlighted as key factors responsible for controlled protein/drug delivery. The advantages and perspectives of pH- and temperature-sensitive injectable block copolymer hydrogels are also highlighted.