Revolutionizing Therapeutic Delivery with Microneedle Technology for Tumor Treatment

Abstract

The tumor is an uncontrolled growth of tissue that can be localized (benign) or possesses the capability of metastasis (malignant). The conventional methods of tumor diagnosis, such as acupuncture, endoscopy, and histopathology, and treatment methods, such as injections, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, are invasive, expensive, and pose severe safety and management issues for the patients. Microneedle technology is a recently developed approach for active transdermal drug delivery. It is minimally invasive, self-administrable, bypasses the first-pass effect, and effectively delivers chemotherapeutics and drugs at low doses, thus, overcoming the drawbacks of conventional delivery systems. This review provides an idea of the types, materials utilized in the fabrication, and techniques used for the preparation of microneedles (MNs), as well as their application in tumor diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, emphasis is given to the case studies related to MNs-assisted tumor therapy, such as photothermal therapy, gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and various combination therapies. MNs also serve as a tool for diagnosis by the bio-sampling of blood and interstitial skin fluid, as well as biosensing various cancer biomarkers. The combined therapy and diagnostics provide theranostic MNs for enhanced and personalized tumor therapy. The limitations and prospects of MNs development are also discussed.

Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Theranostic Multifunctional Microneedles

“…However, the resolution achievable with this process is restricted by the limitations of the light source utilized. [ 265 ] Furthermore, if the mask comes into contact with the surface, it can result in flaws on the wafer surface. To mitigate the creation of defects, it is possible to introduce a gap between the mask and the resist material.…”

Novel Drug Delivery Systems: An Important Direction for Drug Innovation Research and Development

“…At present, microneedle transdermal drug delivery systems have been applied to small-molecule drugs, such as nicotine, painkillers, and therapeutic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, neurological diseases, and tumors [213,214].…”

Unveiling the potential of photodynamic therapy with nanocarriers as a compelling therapeutic approach for skin cancer treatment: current explorations and insights

“…Compliance is less with needles because of the pain during and after administration and bioavailability is often not satisfying with topical creams. 146 A typical microneedle (MN) is 150–1500 μm in height, 50–250 μm in width (base), and has a tip diameter of 1–25 μm. This micron-sized needle penetrates the stratum corneum without engaging any nerve or damaging any blood vessel.…”