Scientists Develop 'Smart' Drug Delivery System for Brain Cancer, Skin Disease Treatment.
Published: 10 Apr 2026
Author: Towards Healthcare
A new generation of drug delivery vehicles is being developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield in a £1 million project. These vehicles could deliver chemotherapy directly to the site after brain cancer surgery and help patients with severe skin diseases or fungal infections that are difficult to treat.
Professor Rob Short FTSE and Professor Nick Turner led a three-year project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). This research combines Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) with molecular imprinting to create precision treatments for glioblastoma, autoimmune diseases, and invasive fungal infections, as reported by the news agency PTI.
According to Towards Healthcare, the Smart Drug Delivery Systems Market is projected to experience significant growth, with estimates suggesting the market size will increase from USD 88.66 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 262.13 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8% from 2026 to 2035. Growth is driven by innovative technology that aims to revolutionise drug delivery by creating custom-fitted molecule cavities that can trap and hold complex drugs, with the expansion of treatment.
New smart plasters could expand drug options.
A research group has developed drug-delivery hydrogels that act like sponges to absorb specific water-based drug molecules. However, this approach is limited in the kinds of drugs it can use. The new project overcomes this limitation by using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs).
The researcher noticed that instead of inserting a molecule into the existing hydrogel, it will effectively grow the hydrogel around the drug molecule itself while creating a new generation of smart plaster.
An AI model stimulates molecular interaction, and the team can build custom-fitted cavities that hold more complex drugs that were impossible to use in the system.
Potential use in brain cancer, skin disease, and fungal infections
Technology has enabled a range of treatments, including implantable pellets. A clinician could use the CAP device for skin diseases, similar to EpiPen, to trigger the release of medicine from plaster.
For glioblastoma, pellets could be implanted directly at the tumour site after surgery and later activated using an endoscopic CAP device, allowing localised, controlled dosing.
According to PTI, the plasma produces a safe “cocktail” of reactive particles and electric fields that act like a switch for on-demand drug release.
A recent report by Towards Healthcare highlights that the Smart Drug Delivery Systems Market is witnessing growth due to increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and demand for therapeutic management, development of connected data-driven drug delivery platforms, and innovation in the body drug delivery system to enhance patient care. Countries like India, China, and Brazil present lucrative opportunities for smart drug delivery system manufacturers.