According to global cancer statistics, skin cancer, the most common cancer, is rising in incidence, highlighting the urgent need for innovative therapies. Contemporary treatments often face limitations such as low bioavailability, low selectivity, and significant side effects due to high dosage requirements. This has prompted the development of advanced drug delivery systems to enhance therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects. This study introduces a composite hydrogel matrix for transdermal cancer treatment, incorporating chitosan (CS), polyethyleneimine (PEI), MXene (Ti3C2Tx), genipin, and triethyl citrate (TEC). Chitosan provides biocompatibility and pH responsiveness, while PEI enhances drug encapsulation efficiency and mechanical strength. MXenes possess high surface area, conductivity, and photothermal properties, enabling targeted cancer therapy. Genipin serves as a natural crosslinker, improving the hydrogel's mechanical properties and stability, while TEC acts as a plasticizer. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the cross-linking and integration of MXene, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a uniform surface with well-dispersed MXene. The inclusion of MXenes influenced the properties of the hydrogel, increasing its hydrophilicity, as indicated by a rise in the contact angle with increasing MXene content. A rheology test indicated an increase in elastic properties. Furthermore, an in-vitro study of the material showed a full moderate release of MXene at 12 hours with no burst release. This MXene-enhanced hydrogel enables efficient, targeted drug delivery, reducing dosage and toxicity while serving as a great platform for future transdermal drug delivery systems. This versatile system shows great promise for future transdermal cancer therapies.
