Chitosan‐Based Smart Hydrogel Platform for Targeted Intravesical Delivery in Bladder Cancer Therapy

ABSTRACT Bladder cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the urinary system worldwide, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, and the clinical efficacy of current intravesical drug therapies remains limited by poor drug retention and frequent recurrence. This review systematically analyzes recent advances in chitosan hydrogel‐based intravesical drug delivery systems for BC treatment. We discuss key types of chitosan hydrogels, including bioadhesive, thermosensitive, and floating formulations, and evaluate their effects on enhancing drug residence time, controlled release, and targeted delivery in the bladder. Uniquely, this review highlights the dual role of chitosan hydrogels as both effective drug carriers and potential immunomodulators, and provides the first comprehensive comparison with other hydrogel systems, alongside a summary of recent clinical trial progress. Current evidence shows that chitosan hydrogels significantly improve drug bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy compared to conventional systems. We recommend future research focus on optimizing controlled release, enhancing mucoadhesion, and advancing personalized hydrogel design to further improve clinical outcomes in BC therapy.