Novel Stimuli-Responsive Gel Systems for Improved Localized Therapy of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern among women. Conventional treatments including surgery, often lead to complications that may compromise future fertility and childbirth outcomes, particularly in younger patients. Owing to its large surface area and rich vascularization, the vaginal route offers promising pathway for localized drug delivery. Nevertheless, the continual turnover of vaginal mucus presents major limitation for traditional formulations such as creams, gels, suppositories, and patches, reducing their retention and overall efficacy. In situ gelling drug delivery systems have emerged promising alternative, offering distinct benefits such as enhanced mucosal penetration, superior bioadhesion, site-specific and sustained drug release, and minimized systemic toxicity. These formulations remain in liquid form at ambient temperature but rapidly transform into gels upon exposure to physiological stimuli, including changes in temperature, pH, or light. By facilitating direct drug delivery to the target site, this route enables lower dosage requirements, minimizes adverse effects, and enhances therapeutic efficiency. This review highlights the application of in-situ gelling systems via the vaginal route for cervical cancer treatment. Moreover, this strategy may complement fertility-preserving surgical interventions by promoting preoperative tumor reduction, thereby decreasing the risk of premature birth and improving reproductive outcomes and quality of life in younger women.