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Journal of Controlled Release :... Aug 2022Microneedles are a rapidly developing method for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic compounds. All types of microneedles, whether solid, hollow, coated, or... (Review)
Review
Microneedles are a rapidly developing method for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic compounds. All types of microneedles, whether solid, hollow, coated, or dissolving function by penetrating the stratum corneum layer of the skin producing a microchannel through which therapeutic agents may be delivered. To date, coated and hollow microneedles have been the most successful, despite suffering from issues such as poor drug loading capabilities and blocked pores. Dissolving microneedles, on the other hand, have superior drug loading as well as other positive attributes that make it an ideal delivery system, including simple methods of fabrication and disposal, and abundantly available materials. Indeed, dissolvable microneedles can even be fabricated entirely from the therapeutic agent itself thus eliminating the requirement for additional excipients. This focused review presents the recent developments and trends of dissolving microneedles as well as potential future directions. The advantages, and disadvantages of dissolving microneedles as well as fabrication materials and methods are discussed. The potential applications of dissolving microneedles as a drug delivery system in different therapeutic areas in both research literature and clinical trials is highlighted. Applications including the delivery of cosmetics, vaccine delivery, diagnosis and monitoring, cancer, pain and inflammation, diabetes, hair and scalp disorders and inflammatory skin diseases are presented. The current trends observed in the microneedle landscape with particular emphasis on contemporary clinical trials and commercial successes as well as barriers impeding microneedle development and commercialisation are also discussed.
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Drug Delivery Systems; Microinjections; Needles; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Skin; Skin Absorption
PubMed: 35662577
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.05.045 -
Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology Dec 2017A microneedle (MN) is a micron-sized needle with a height of 10-2000 μm and a width of 10-50 μm, which can penetrate through the epidermis layer to dermal tissue... (Review)
Review
A microneedle (MN) is a micron-sized needle with a height of 10-2000 μm and a width of 10-50 μm, which can penetrate through the epidermis layer to dermal tissue directly without pain. Microneedles are widely used in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) because they are efficient, safe, convenient and painless. Morphologically, microneedles are divided into four types: solid microneedles, coated microneedles, dissolving microneedles, and hollow microneedles. Different types of microneedles play different roles in different research fields. Microneedles also have different characteristics and applications depending on the materials they are made from. In recent years, microneedles have frequently been used to deliver drugs, genes, proteins, RNA, and vaccines, and have achieved amazing therapeutic effect. Meanwhile, a variety of nano-carriers combined with microneedle delivery systems highlight the application of microneedles. The materials, types, and applications of the microneedles are summarized in this review. Overall, this review aims to serve as a foundational study of microneedles and hopes to promote their clinical application.
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Drug Delivery Systems; Microinjections; Nanotechnology; Needles; Transdermal Patch
PubMed: 29490749
DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2017.2474 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jan 2019The most widely used methods for transdermal administration of the drugs are hypodermic needles, topical creams, and transdermal patches. The effect of most of the... (Review)
Review
The most widely used methods for transdermal administration of the drugs are hypodermic needles, topical creams, and transdermal patches. The effect of most of the therapeutic agents is limited due to the stratum corneum layer of the skin, which serves as a barrier for the molecules and thus only a few molecules are able to reach the site of action. A new form of delivery system called the microneedles helps to enhance the delivery of the drug through this route and overcoming the various problems associated with the conventional formulations. The primary principle involves disruption of the skin layer, thus creating micron size pathways that lead the drug directly to the epidermis or upper dermis region from where the drug can directly go into the systemic circulation without facing the barrier. This review describes the various potential and applications of the microneedles. The various types of microneedles can be fabricated like solid, dissolving, hydrogel, coated and hollow microneedles. Fabrication method selected depends on the type and material of the microneedle. This system has increased its application to many fields like oligonucleotide delivery, vaccine delivery, insulin delivery, and even in cosmetics. In recent years, many microneedle products are coming into the market. Although a lot of research needs to be done to overcome the various challenges before the microneedles can successfully launch into the market.
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Drug Delivery Systems; Epidermis; Humans; Microinjections; Needles
PubMed: 30551375
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.078 -
Nature Protocols Oct 2018Protein depletion is a key approach to understanding the functions of a protein in a biological system. We recently developed the Trim-Away approach in order to rapidly...
Protein depletion is a key approach to understanding the functions of a protein in a biological system. We recently developed the Trim-Away approach in order to rapidly degrade endogenous proteins without prior modification. Trim-Away is based on the ubiquitin ligase and Fc receptor TRIM21, which recognizes antibody-bound proteins and targets them for degradation by the proteasome. In a typical Trim-Away experiment, protein degradation is achieved in three steps: first, introduction of an antibody against the target protein; second, recruitment of endogenous or exogenous/overexpressed TRIM21 to the antibody-bound target protein; and third, proteasome-mediated degradation of the target protein, antibody and TRIM21 complex. Protein degradation by Trim-Away is acute and rapid, with half-lives of ~10-20 min. The major advantages of Trim-Away over other protein degradation methods are that it can be applied to any endogenous protein without prior modification; that it uses conventional antibodies that are widely available; and that it can be applied to a wide range of cell types, including nondividing primary human cells, for which other loss-of-function assays are challenging. In this protocol, we describe the detailed procedures for antibody preparation and delivery in mouse oocytes and cultured cells via microinjection and electroporation. In addition, we provide recommendations for antibody selection and validation, and for the generation of TRIM21-overexpressing cell lines for cases in which endogenous TRIM21 is limited. A typical Trim-Away experiment takes just a few hours.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; Electroporation; Female; Humans; Mice; Microinjections; Oocytes; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Proteins; Proteolysis; Recombinant Proteins; Ribonucleoproteins; Ubiquitin; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
PubMed: 30250286
DOI: 10.1038/s41596-018-0028-3 -
Drug Delivery and Translational Research Feb 2022
Topics: Drug Delivery Systems; Microinjections; Needles
PubMed: 34932196
DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-01100-7 -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Nov 2017
Topics: Drug Delivery Systems; Equipment Design; Humans; Microinjections; Needles
PubMed: 29237559
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.10.030 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Feb 2024Microneedles have emerged as a promising platform for transdermal drug delivery with prominent advantages, such as enhanced permeability, mitigated pain, and improved... (Review)
Review
Microneedles have emerged as a promising platform for transdermal drug delivery with prominent advantages, such as enhanced permeability, mitigated pain, and improved patient adherence. While microneedles have primarily been employed for delivering small molecules, nucleic acids, peptides, and proteins, recent researches have demonstrated their prospect in combination with cell therapy. Cell therapy involving administration or transplantation of living cells (e.g. T cells, stem cells, and pancreatic cells) has gained significant attention in preclinical and clinical applications for various disease treatments. However, the effectiveness of systemic cell delivery may be restricted in localized conditions like solid tumors and skin disorders due to limited penetration and accumulation into the lesions. In this perspective, an overview of recent advances in microneedle-assisted cell delivery for immunotherapy, tissue regeneration, and hormone modulation, with respect to their mechanical property, cell loading capacity, as well as viability and bioactivity of the loaded cells is provided. Potential challenges and future perspectives with microneedle-mediated cell therapy are also discussed.
Topics: Humans; Administration, Cutaneous; Drug Delivery Systems; Microinjections; Needles; Proteins
PubMed: 37899686
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304124 -
Nature Nanotechnology Jul 2015Seamless and minimally invasive three-dimensional interpenetration of electronics within artificial or natural structures could allow for continuous monitoring and...
Seamless and minimally invasive three-dimensional interpenetration of electronics within artificial or natural structures could allow for continuous monitoring and manipulation of their properties. Flexible electronics provide a means for conforming electronics to non-planar surfaces, yet targeted delivery of flexible electronics to internal regions remains difficult. Here, we overcome this challenge by demonstrating the syringe injection (and subsequent unfolding) of sub-micrometre-thick, centimetre-scale macroporous mesh electronics through needles with a diameter as small as 100 μm. Our results show that electronic components can be injected into man-made and biological cavities, as well as dense gels and tissue, with >90% device yield. We demonstrate several applications of syringe-injectable electronics as a general approach for interpenetrating flexible electronics with three-dimensional structures, including (1) monitoring internal mechanical strains in polymer cavities, (2) tight integration and low chronic immunoreactivity with several distinct regions of the brain, and (3) in vivo multiplexed neural recording. Moreover, syringe injection enables the delivery of flexible electronics through a rigid shell, the delivery of large-volume flexible electronics that can fill internal cavities, and co-injection of electronics with other materials into host structures, opening up unique applications for flexible electronics.
Topics: Animals; Electroencephalography; Electronics, Medical; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Mice; Microinjections; Nanotechnology; Prosthesis Implantation; Syringes; Transducers
PubMed: 26053995
DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2015.115 -
Lab on a Chip Mar 2023Microneedles have been expected for the construction of next-generation biosensors towards personalization, digitization, and intellectualization due to their metrics of... (Review)
Review
Microneedles have been expected for the construction of next-generation biosensors towards personalization, digitization, and intellectualization due to their metrics of minimal invasiveness, high integration, and favorable biocompatibility. Herein, an overview of state-of-the-art microneedle-based detection and sensing systems is presented. First, the designs of microneedle devices based on extraction mechanisms are concluded, corresponding to different geometries and materials of microneedles. Second, the targets of equipment-assisted microneedle detections are summarized, as well as the objective significance, revealing the current performance and potential scenarios of these microneedles. Third, the trend towards highly integrated sensors is elaborated by emphasizing the sensing principles (colorimetric, fluorometric and electronic manner). Finally, the key challenges to be tackled and the perspectives on future development are discussed.
Topics: Drug Delivery Systems; Microinjections; Administration, Cutaneous; Needles; Biosensing Techniques
PubMed: 36629050
DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00790h -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021A microneedle (MN) is a painless and minimally invasive drug delivery device initially developed in 1976. As microneedle technology evolves, microneedles with different... (Review)
Review
A microneedle (MN) is a painless and minimally invasive drug delivery device initially developed in 1976. As microneedle technology evolves, microneedles with different shapes (cone and pyramid) and forms (solid, drug-coated, hollow, dissolvable and hydrogel-based microneedles) have been developed. The main objective of this review is the applications of microneedles in biomedical areas. Firstly, the classifications and manufacturing of microneedle are briefly introduced so that we can learn the advantages and fabrications of different MNs. Secondly, research of microneedles in biomedical therapy such as drug delivery systems, diagnoses of disease, as well as wound repair and cancer therapy are overviewed. Finally, the safety and the vision of the future of MNs are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Microinjections; Needles; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 34641460
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195912