Review
Polymer Science
Dong-Jin Lim, Hong-Jun Kim
Summary: This review provides an overview of advanced fabrication techniques for microneedles and discusses various drug coating and drug elution strategies. It also explores the potential of microneedle technologies in improving the clinical efficacy of treating skin diseases.
Review
Instruments & Instrumentation
Qida Zong, Ranran Guo, Naijun Dong, Guixia Ling, Peng Zhang
Summary: Microneedle technology, as a promising alternative to subcutaneous insulin injection, has developed rapidly but still faces technical challenges, researchers are making efforts to overcome these limitations.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiaona Cao, Guojun Chen
Summary: This review provides an overview of recent advances in microneedle technology for non-transdermal applications, with a particular focus on its applications in ocular, vascular, oral, mucosal, and cancer tissues. The improved design of microneedles has expanded their potential for non-transdermal applications.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DELIVERY
(2022)
Review
Instruments & Instrumentation
Krishanu Aich, Tanya Singh, Shweta Dang
Summary: Microneedles have been shown to enhance drug delivery and overcome the drawbacks of traditional injections, offering a significant opportunity for better clinical outcomes. Various types of microneedle designs, including solid, coated, hollow, and polymer microneedles, have been developed to improve drug delivery efficiency. Multiple studies are currently focusing on advancing formulation and microfabrication techniques for the delivery of protein drugs via microneedles.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yasaman Ghiyasi, Philip D. Prewett, Graham J. Davies, Zahra Faraji Rad
Summary: Chronic wounds occur due to various reasons, including trauma, accidents, and diseases. Diabetes is a major cause of non-healing wounds, and the number of people with diabetes is increasing globally. Microneedles (MNs) offer a promising solution for the treatment of chronic wounds, as they provide an effective and non-invasive way to deliver drugs and accelerate the healing process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiahui He, Yuyue Zhang, Xinge Yu, Chenjie Xu
Summary: Transdermal drug delivery systems, particularly wearable patches, have advantages such as good drug bioavailability and patient compliance. The integration of stimulus-responsive materials and electronics in such systems allows for dosage, temporal, and spatial control of therapeutics delivery.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Naoto Ono, Tomoya Iibuchi, Hiroaki Todo, Shoko Itakura, Hirotoshi Adachi, Kenji Sugibayashi
Summary: Thermalporation is an effective method for improving skin permeation of middle and high molecular weight biopharmaceuticals. The study showed that using the PassPort(R) system can significantly enhance the skin permeation of FD-4 and insulin, with improved relative bioavailability of insulin. Additionally, the skin resistance value decreased immediately after the PS treatment but returned to the initial level within 12 hours.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Suliman Khan, Anwarul Hasan, Farnoosh Attar, Mohammad Mahdi Nejadi Babadaei, Hojjat Alizadeh Zeinabad, Majid Salehi, Morteza Alizadeh, Mahbub Hassan, Hossein Derakhshankhah, Michael R. Hamblin, Qian Bai, Majid Sharifi, Mojtaba Falahati, Timo L. M. ten Hagen
Summary: Microneedle arrays have attracted attention as cancer detection and treatment platforms, delivering active molecules through the skin and improving patient health. They enable controlled release of multiple drugs, optimizing treatment and preventing drug interactions.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanjun Zhou, Luan Jia, Di Zhou, Gang Chen, Qiang Fu, Ning Li
Summary: Alopecia, the most common and difficult-to-treat hair disorder, brings significant psychological burden to patients. Currently, only minoxidil and finasteride have been approved by the FDA for treatment but with unsatisfactory efficacy. Microneedles, as a new form of transdermal drug delivery, have been widely used and proven effective in alopecia treatment. Microneedles improve drug delivery efficiency and patient compliance, resulting in better therapeutic effects for hair-related diseases. Therefore, microneedles have gained attention in the field of alopecia and hair regrowth promotion.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tomas Bauleth-Ramos, Nesma El-Sayed, Flavia Fontana, Maria Lobita, Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi, Helder A. Santos
Summary: Dissolving microneedles (dMNs) are water-soluble polymer drug delivery systems that have become popular for transdermal drug delivery. They offer advantages such as fast dissolution, short application time, and no biohazard risk, making them suitable for various biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. The formulation of successful dMNs requires careful consideration of patch design, needles geometry, polymer composition, method of formation, and payloads, as these factors directly affect the mechanical properties and efficacy of the microneedles. This review serves as a guide for dMN formulation, discussing the challenges at each step and strategies to optimize their administration and drug release.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sophia N. Economidou, Dennis Douroumis
Summary: This review identified key progress points in using 3D printing to manufacture microneedles over the past 3 years, particularly focusing on advances in photopolymerization and extrusion-based 3D printing. The study highlighted that printing resolution and material properties are the two critical parameters that significantly influence the outcome of microneedle printing endeavors. Finally, the authors attempted to estimate the impact of 3D printing on the transdermal drug delivery market.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sina Azizi Machekposhti, Alexander K. Nguyen, Lyndsi Vanderwal, Shane Stafslien, Roger J. Narayan
Summary: Polymeric microneedles have been fabricated for the delivery of amphotericin B using Gantrez (TM) AN-119 BF, demonstrating appropriate mechanical properties and antifungal characteristics.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Muhammet Avcil, Ayhan Celik
Summary: The innovative transdermal delivery technology of microneedle patch has great potential for various applications, but also faces limitations that need to be addressed for further improvements. Scientists and technologists should be aware of these concerns and allocate resources wisely.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zening Men, Xiaotong Lu, Ting He, Mengfang Wu, Tong Su, Teng Shen
Summary: The recombinant hirudin-loaded dissoluble microneedle patch demonstrated effective anticoagulant effects, prevented thrombotic diseases, and showed potential for preventing venous thrombosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kamchai Saepang, S. Kevin Li, Doungdaw Chantasart
Summary: The study explored the potential of skin microchannels created by polymer microneedle patches for enhancing transdermal drug delivery of pramipexole dihydrochloride. Results showed that drug-loaded dissolving microneedle (DMN) patches greatly improved PXCl transdermal delivery compared to conventional methods, while hydrogel-forming microneedle (HGMN) patches provided more sustained drug delivery. Electromigration was identified as the main mechanism for iontophoresis of PXCl through microchannels, with HGMN patches showing greater flux enhancement than DMN patches. The study indicates the potential application of microneedle patches, either alone or in combination with iontophoresis, as an alternative method for PXCl administration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)