A water-soluble macromonomer (PEG-beta-CD) was synthesised by reaction of beta-cycloclextrin with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether. Then, a novel hydrogel with pH-sensitivity was prepared by irradiating the mixture of acrylic acid and PEG-beta-CD with electron beam. Compared with the normal PAAc hydrogel, this novel hydrogel had a higher swelling ratio at pH 3-8. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was chosen as a model drug, and the kinetics of 5-FU releasing behavior was studied. Compared with the PAAc hydrogel, the results showed the release time of 5-FU from the cyclodextrin containing hydrogel was prolonged. It may be ascribed to the formation of inclusion complexes between the drug molecules and cyclodextrin groups. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.