The co-delivery of multiple drugs has become the primary strategy in cancer therapy in recent years,
because this technique could promote synergistic actions, reduce side effects and deter the
development of drug resistance. To achieve a controlled and sustained release of the loaded drugs, a
supramolecular hydrogel based on the host–guest interactions between a hyperbranched polyglycerol
derivative and a-cyclodextrin was prepared and used to co-load camptothecin and doxorubicin for
sustainedly synergistic tumor therapy. The gelation kinetics, hydrogel strength and supramolecular
structure of the obtained hydrogel were studied by dynamic and steady rheometry under various
concentrations of a-CD. The sustained dual drug release from the supramolecular hydrogel in vitro, and
their synergistic effect in vitro and in vivo were also explored. Moreover, the supramolecular hydrogel
showed receivable blood compatibility and non-cytotoxicity by in vitro and in vivo assays. Therefore, this
supramolecular hydrogel could potentially be applied in sustainedly synergistic tumor therapy.