Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ahlam Zaid Alkilani, Jehad Nasereddin, Rania Hamed, Sukaina Nimrawi, Ghaid Hussein, Hadeel Abo-Zour, Ryan F. Donnelly
Summary: Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) is a non-invasive approach that is convenient and easy to use, especially for vulnerable age groups. However, its applicability is limited to drugs with specific physicochemical properties due to the barrier posed by the skin. Various techniques, including chemical and passive methods, have been investigated to enhance drug permeability across the skin. Hybrid approaches combining chemical penetration enhancement technologies with physical technologies are also being intensely researched.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Dan Yang, Minglong Chen, Ying Sun, Yunpan Jin, Chao Lu, Xin Pan, Guilan Quan, Chuanbin Wu
Summary: This review discusses the emergence of versatile microneedles for transdermal delivery of various drugs, especially focusing on their application in treating different skin diseases such as superficial tumors, scars, psoriasis, herpes, acne, and alopecia. It also summarizes the promises and challenges of widespread translation of microneedles for transdermal drug delivery in dermatology.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mengzhen Xing, Yuning Ma, Xiaocen Wei, Chen Chen, Xueli Peng, Yuxia Ma, Bingwen Liang, Yunhua Gao, Jibiao Wu
Summary: Auxiliary permeable microneedles (AP-MNs) were prepared using polyvinyl alcohol and Eudragit NM30D to enhance transdermal drug delivery. The formulation of AP-MNs was optimized based on swelling properties, skin insertion, solution viscosity, and needle integrity. The AP-MNs exhibited excellent mechanical strength and hydrogel-forming properties, creating a continuous and unblockable network channel. The cumulative permeation of acidic and alkaline model drugs, azelaic acid and matrine, significantly increased after using AP-MNs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Geonwoo Kang, Minkyung Kim, Huisuk Yang, Jiwoo Shin, Jeeho Sim, Hyeri Ahn, Mingyu Jang, Youseong Kim, Hye Su Min, Hyungil Jung
Summary: A latch applicator, consisting of simple plastic parts and operated by thumb force, was developed for efficient and cost-effective administration of dissolving microneedles (DMN). The optimized latch applicator demonstrated successful insertion of the drug-loaded DMN into the skin and showed higher antibody production compared to intramuscular injection in an immunization test. This latch applicator has the potential to greatly improve drug delivery, including vaccines, with its effective DMN insertion and competitive price.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Geonwoo Kang, Minkyung Kim, Huisuk Yang, Jiwoo Shin, Jeeho Sim, Hyeri Ahn, Mingyu Jang, Youseong Kim, Hye Su Min, Hyungil Jung
Summary: In this article, a novel applicator is developed to efficiently insert dissolving microneedle patches into the skin with optimized force and velocity. This applicator is cost-competitive and easy to use with thumb-force operation. The study shows that the microneedle and applicator system can generate significantly higher antibody levels compared to intramuscular injection when using a model antigen.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Fei Qu, Rui Geng, Yijing Liu, Jintao Zhu
Summary: Skin diseases have a significant impact on patients' quality of life and the global economy. Advanced transdermal drug delivery strategies, such as nanocarrier and microneedle-based systems, offer efficient and targeted drug delivery with reduced side effects and improved functions.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guo Xu, Yukuan Mao, Tianyue Jiang, Bingbing Gao, Bingfang He
Summary: This review highlights the structural design strategies and biomedical applications of microneedle-based vaccines. By selecting appropriate materials and methods, microneedle-based vaccines with strong mechanical properties and variable forms can be fabricated for monitoring or augmenting human immunity. The mechanism of skin immunity, classification and fabrication approaches of microneedles, as well as their applications in sampling and therapy, are discussed.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sakshi Priya, Yashika Tomar, Vaibhavi Meghraj Desai, Gautam Singhvi
Summary: For decades, scientists have been focusing on finding effective long-term or disease-modifying treatments for skin disorders. Conventional drug delivery systems have shown poor efficacy and associated side effects, leading to challenges in patient adherence. Dissolving microneedles have gained attention for their advantages in breaching skin barriers with minimal discomfort and easy application, making them a potential novel drug delivery strategy for the long-term treatment of skin disorders.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DELIVERY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiumei Jiang, Pu Chen, Wenxin Niu, Renhua Fang, Hang Chen, Yue An, Weiqing Wang, Changzhao Jiang, Jincui Ye
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of Tofacitinib citrate microneedles in arthritis treatment, assessed the dose-effect relationship, and determined the cumulative penetration during percutaneous injection. The results showed that Tofacitinib microneedles effectively inhibited joint swelling in rats, demonstrating potential for Rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
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)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Delly Ramadon, Maeliosa T. C. McCrudden, Aaron J. Courtenay, Ryan F. Donnelly
Summary: Transdermal drug delivery systems have become an intriguing research topic in pharmaceutical technology area and one of the most frequently developed pharmaceutical products in global market. This article reviews the current trends, and future applications of transdermal technologies, with specific focus on providing a comprehensive understanding of transdermal drug delivery systems and enhancement strategies. The use of microneedle technology has shown promising results in improving transdermal delivery systems, with opportunities for intradermal delivery of drugs/biotherapeutics and therapeutic drug monitoring.
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)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hiroya Abe, Yuuya Matsui, Natsumi Kimura, Matsuhiko Nishizawa
Summary: An array of porous microneedles made of PLGA was fabricated with a porosity around 50% through a combination of molding and freeze-drying methods. The mechanical strength of the PLGA microneedles was enhanced by modification with CMC, resulting in decreased transdermal resistance, thus improving efficiency and safety of DC current-based transdermal techniques.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
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
Engineering, Chemical
Andrea Coletto, Pietro Poesio
Summary: Experiments and simulations were conducted to study the air volume fraction and hold-up in a bubble channel reactor. A new signal processing method was proposed to avoid the loss of bubble residence time. The results were in agreement with previous studies and a bubble-scale model was developed to explain the relationship between hold-up and air superficial velocity.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2024)