Advanced Hydrogel Dressings with Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity for Malignant Fungating Wounds

Lara Leote – MSc, Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Lisboa, Portugal.; Alfredo Pozuelo – MSc Student, Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Lisboa, Portugal; Madalena Salema-Oom – Professor, CIIEM, Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz, Caparica, Portugal; Ricardo F.S. Pereira – Researcher, Department of Bioengineering, iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, IST, UL, Lisboa, Portugal. Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, IST, UL, Lisboa, Portugal; Carla C.C.R. de Carvalho – Professor, Department of Bioengineering, iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, IST, UL, Lisboa, Portugal. Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, IST, UL, Lisboa, Portugal; Ana Paula Serro – Professor, Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Lisboa, Portugal. CIIEM, Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz, Caparica, Portugal; Diana C. Silva – Researcher, Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Lisboa, Portugal. CIIEM, Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz, Caparica, Portugal

Introduction:

Chronic wounds affect nearly 4% of the global population¹, with malignant fungating wounds (MFWs) among the most severe and debilitating cases. Occurring in approximately 5–15% of patients with advanced cancer, MFWs cause persistent inflammation, excessive exudate, infection, pain, and profound psychological distress². Current clinical management is largely palliative and relies on conventional dressings with limited therapeutic success. This study aims to develop novel multifunctional hydrogel dressings incorporating natural bioactive compounds from Curcuma longa and Calendula officinalis alongside the antiseptic Octiset^® to confer antioxidant and antibacterial efficacy.