Gas-entrapping materials to improve HIPEC for ovarian cancer

Introduction: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a surgical procedure used in advanced-stage (Stage III-IV) ovarian cancer, typically following cytoreductive surgery to remove visible tumors [1]. During HIPEC, heated chemotherapy is circulated directly in the abdomen, targeting residual microscopic cancer cells but causing side effects such as adhesions, nausea, kidney dysfunction, fatigue, and hematologic toxicities [1, 2]. To enhance HIPEC efficacy and minimize toxicity, we developed gas-entrapping materials (GEMs) to amplify the effects of chemotherapy [3, 4].