Melanoma is resistant to conventional
chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Therefore, it is essential to develop a targeted, low-toxic, and minimally
invasive treatment. Here, DTIC/ICG-Fe3O4@TpBD
BSP/HA microneedles (MNs) were designed and fabricated, which can
enhance targeting to melanoma and perform photothermal therapy (PTT)
and chemotherapy simultaneously to synergistically exert anticancer
effects. The system consisted of magnetic nanoparticles (DTIC/ICG-Fe3O4@TpBD), dissoluble matrix (Bletilla polysaccharide
(BSP)/hyaluronic acid (HA)), and a polyvinyl alcohol backing layer.
Due to the good magnetic responsiveness of Fe3O4@TpBD, dacarbazine (DTIC) and indocyanine green (ICG) can be better
targeted to the tumor tissue and improve the therapeutic effect. BSP
and HA have good biocompatibility and transdermal ability, so that
the MNs can completely penetrate the tumor tissue, be dissolved by
the interstitial fluid, and release DTIC and ICG. Under near-infrared
(NIR) light irradiation, ICG converts light energy into thermal energy
and induces ablation of B16-OVA melanoma cells. In vivo results showed
that DTIC/ICG-Fe3O4@TpBD BSP/HA MNs combined
with chemotherapy and PTT could effectively inhibit the growth of
melanoma without tumor recurrence or significant weight loss in mice.
Therefore, DTIC/ICG-Fe3O4@TpBD BSP/HA MNs are
expected to provide new ideas and therapeutic approaches for the clinical
treatment of melanoma.