Interventional Hydrogel Microsphere Controlled‐Releasing Curcumin for Photothermal Therapy against Endometriosis

Abstract

AbstractEndometriosis is a prevalent gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial‐like tissue outside the uterus, causing chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, and infertility. Despite the common use of hormone therapy and surgical lesion excision in its treatment, there remain significant postoperative risks and potential side effects, with a high recurrence rate. An efficient nonsurgical treatment for this condition is therefore urgently needed. In this study, an interventional hydrogel microsphere with near‐infrared (NIR)‐controlled curcumin release is developed for the non‐invasive thermal therapy of endometriosis. The hydrogel microspheres demonstrate good biocompatibility and photothermal activities, causing the death of endometrial stromal cells under NIR and controlled curcumin (Cur) release. When injected into endometriotic lesions and stimulated by NIR light, the interventional hydrogel microspheres (Cur‐FeHMPs) can raise the temperature of the endometriotic lesions to 43.65 °C, inducing endometriotic lesion elimination. Furthermore, the controlled curcumin release from the interventional hydrogel inhibits the proinflammatory environment in endometriosis. The Cur‐FeHMPs in combination with NIR present a novel strategy for endometriosis treatment.