Table 1.

A list of aptamer-based hydrogels for multifunctional gene and cancer therapy.

Hydrogel materials	Aptamer function	Agents	Therapy application	References
DNA	Bioactive Groups	Dox	On-demand drug release upon H2O2	(161)
DNA	Bioactive Groups	mRNA, MMP-9	GSH induce release of therapeutic genes	(97)
DNA	Bioactive Groups	Dox	Protonation triggering the release of the encapsulated drug	(162)
Polyacrylamide	Bioactive Groups	Dox	Near-infrared light-responsive drug delivery	(124)
DNA	Bioactive Groups	DOX, CpGs	pH induces transition of I-motif sequences	(163)
Polyacrylamide	Cross-linkers	Dox	Target protein nucleolin leads the gel to dissolve as a result of reducing the cross-linking density by competitive target-aptamer binding.	(164)
DNA, PLL-g-Dex	Cross-linkers	protein drugs	Complementary sequences (CSs) of aptamer induce release of protein	(165–167)
Carboxymethyl chitosan	Cross-linkers	Dox	ATP triggering sol–gel transition and DOX release	(166)