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Pharmaceutics Feb 2023Microneedles (MNs) have been widely used in biomedical applications for drug delivery and biomarker detection purposes. Furthermore, MNs can also be used as a... (Review)
Review
Microneedles (MNs) have been widely used in biomedical applications for drug delivery and biomarker detection purposes. Furthermore, MNs can also be used as a stand-alone tool to be combined with microfluidic devices. For that purpose, lab- or organ-on-a-chip are being developed. This systematic review aims to summarize the most recent progress in these emerging systems, to identify their advantages and limitations, and discuss promising potential applications of MNs in microfluidics. Therefore, three databases were used to search papers of interest, and their selection was made following the guidelines for systematic reviews proposed by PRISMA. In the selected studies, the MNs type, fabrication strategy, materials, and function/application were evaluated. The literature reviewed showed that although the use of MNs for lab-on-a-chip has been more explored than for organ-on-a-chip, some recent studies have explored this applicability with great potential for the monitoring of organ models. Overall, it is shown that the presence of MNs in advanced microfluidic devices can simplify drug delivery and microinjection, as well as fluid extraction for biomarker detection by using integrated biosensors, which is a promising tool to precisely monitor, in real-time, different kinds of biomarkers in lab- and organ-on-a-chip platforms.
PubMed: 36986653
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030792 -
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 2020Microneedles (MNs) have been used to deliver drugs for over two decades. These platforms have been proven to increase transdermal drug delivery efficiency dramatically...
Microneedles (MNs) have been used to deliver drugs for over two decades. These platforms have been proven to increase transdermal drug delivery efficiency dramatically by penetrating restrictive tissue barriers in a minimally invasive manner. While much of the early development of MNs focused on transdermal drug delivery, this technology can be applied to a variety of other non-transdermal biomedical applications. Several variations, such as multi-layer or hollow MNs, have been developed to cater to the needs of specific applications. The heterogeneity in the design of MNs has demanded similar variety in their fabrication methods; the most common methods include micromolding and drawing lithography. Numerous materials have been explored for MN fabrication which range from biocompatible ceramics and metals to natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers. Recent advances in MN engineering have diversified MNs to include unique shapes, materials, and mechanical properties that can be tailored for organ-specific applications. In this review, we discuss the design and creation of modern MNs that aim to surpass the biological barriers of non-transdermal drug delivery in ocular, vascular, oral, and mucosal tissue.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Biological Transport; Drug Delivery Systems; Equipment Design; Humans; Microinjections; Microtechnology; Polymers; Prostheses and Implants
PubMed: 31837356
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.11.010 -
The Journal of Dermatology Apr 2023Intra- and transdermal administration of substances via percutaneous injection is effective but considered painful, and inconvenient in addition to bringing forth... (Review)
Review
Intra- and transdermal administration of substances via percutaneous injection is effective but considered painful, and inconvenient in addition to bringing forth biohazardous waste material. In contrast to injection, topical drug application, which includes ointments, creams and lotions, increases the local drug load. Moreover, it has reduced side effects compared to systemic administration. However, the epidermis poses a barrier to high molecular weight substances, limiting the delivery efficiency. Dissolving microneedles (DMN) are hydrophilic, mostly polymer-based constructs that are capable of skin penetration and were developed to provide painless and direct dermal drug delivery. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the available clinical evidence for the use of DMN to treat various skin conditions. According to the PRISMA statement, a systematic search for articles on the use of DMN for dermatological indications was conducted on three different databases (Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane library). Only human clinical trials were considered. Qualitative assessment was done by two separate reviewers using the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB 2) and Chambers' criteria assessment tools. The search yielded 1090 articles. After deduplication and removal of ineligible records, 889 records were screened on title and abstract. Full text screening was done for 18 articles and ultimately 17 articles were included of which 15 were randomized controlled trials and two were case series. The quality assessment showed that the majority of included studies had low to no risk of bias. Clinical data supports that DMN are an excellent, effective, and pain free drug delivery method for multiple dermatological disorders including skin aging, hyperpigmentation, psoriasis, warts, and keloids by supplying a painless and effective vehicle for intradermal/intralesional drug administration. Microneedle technology provides a promising non- to minimally-invasive alternative to percutaneous injection.
Topics: Humans; Microinjections; Skin; Administration, Cutaneous; Drug Delivery Systems; Epidermis; Needles; Pain
PubMed: 36700529
DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.16732 -
Dermatologic Surgery : Official... Dec 2020Melasma is an acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation that is often recalcitrant to current therapies. Microneedling is used to treat scars, striae, and rhytides and has... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Melasma is an acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation that is often recalcitrant to current therapies. Microneedling is used to treat scars, striae, and rhytides and has a relatively low risk of post-treatment dyspigmentation. Several studies have examined its use in melasma.
OBJECTIVE
To review the published evidence on the efficacy and safety of microneedling in the treatment of melasma.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed. A meta-analysis could not be performed because of methodological differences across studies and data heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Eight studies were included for analysis. Most studies assessed the utility of microneedling in combination with other topical therapies and detected some success. However, microneedling-mediated transdermal delivery of medications is not superior to microinjections of medications. There is less evidence supporting the use of microneedling as monotherapy. Microneedling, when used with a 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, may provide additional benefit, although with a risk of post-treatment dyspigmentation.
CONCLUSION
Based on low-quality evidence, microneedling may play a role in the treatment of melasma, with the mechanism of action likely being the facilitation of delivery of topical therapies to the epidermis and dermis, and one ancillary benefit of this approach being the very low risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Combined Modality Therapy; Dermatologic Agents; Dry Needling; Humans; Melanosis; Microinjections; Needles; Transdermal Patch; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32897944
DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000002763 -
Cureus May 2024Patterned hair loss (PHL) is a severe hair condition that affects both sexes. Mesotherapy is a treatment that involves microinjecting medications and/or vitamins into... (Review)
Review
Patterned hair loss (PHL) is a severe hair condition that affects both sexes. Mesotherapy is a treatment that involves microinjecting medications and/or vitamins into the middle layer of the skin. Mesotherapy reduces systemic adverse effects by delivering drugs directly to the hair follicle, increasing local bioavailability while lowering systemic exposure. Local side effects and reactions may develop due to mesotherapy. This study systematically evaluated the safety and efficacy of mesotherapy to minoxidil 5%, as well as addressing its limitations, dosing, and technique, with the intent of providing valuable trials and insights for clinicians and patients considering mesotherapy for improved androgenetic alopecia (AGA) outcomes. The literature search carried out by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria yielded 11 relevant studies from an initial pool of 18 articles. These studies covered various aspects of the role of mesotherapy and minoxidil in AGA, including techniques, complications, limitations, and outcomes. In conclusion, available trials and research on mesotherapy and minoxidil demonstrated excellent statistical significance and a high patient satisfaction rate, with the exception of two publications that took into account certain uncommon adverse effects of mesotherapy. However, recent research suggests that a mesotherapy method for alopecia with a low risk of side effects is effective.
PubMed: 38841017
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59705 -
Animal Genetics Jun 2024Transgenic (Tg) animal technology is one of the growing areas in biology. Various Tg technologies, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, are available for... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Transgenic (Tg) animal technology is one of the growing areas in biology. Various Tg technologies, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, are available for generating Tg animals. These include zygote microinjection, electroporation, viral infection, embryonic stem cell or spermatogonial stem cell-mediated production of Tg animals, sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT), and testis-mediated gene transfer (TMGT). However, there are currently no comprehensive studies comparing SMGT and TMGT methods, selecting appropriate gene delivery carriers (such as nanoparticles and liposomes), and determining the optimal route for gene delivery (SMGT and TMGT) for producing Tg animal. Here we aim to provide a comprehensive assessment comparing SMGT and TMGT methods, and to introduce the best carriers and gene transfer methods to sperm and testis to generate Tg animals in different species. From 2010 to 2022, 47 studies on SMGT and 25 studies on TMGT have been conducted. Mice and rats were the most commonly used species in SMGT and TMGT. Regarding the SMGT approach, nanoparticles, streptolysin-O, and virus packaging were found to be the best gene transfer methods for generating Tg mice. In the TMGT method, the best gene transfer methods for generating Tg mice and rats were virus packaging, dimethyl sulfoxide, electroporation, and liposome. Our study has shown that the efficiency of producing Tg animals varies depending on the species, gene carrier, and method of gene transfer.
Topics: Animals; Male; Mice; Rats; Animals, Genetically Modified; Gene Transfer Techniques; Spermatozoa; Testis
PubMed: 38361185
DOI: 10.1111/age.13404 -
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews Jan 2020This review analyses physical drug delivery enhancement technologies with a focus on improving UV damaged skin, actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancer treatment....
This review analyses physical drug delivery enhancement technologies with a focus on improving UV damaged skin, actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancer treatment. In recent years, physical drug delivery enhancement has been shown to enhance cosmeceutical and skin cancer treatment efficacy, but there are pros and cons to each approach which we discuss in detail. Mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, experimental design, outcomes in academic publications, clinical trial reports and patents are explored to evaluate each technology with a critical, translation focused lens. We conclude that the commercial success of cosmeceutical applications, e.g. microneedles, will drive further innovation in this arena that will impact how actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancers are clinically managed.
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cosmetic Techniques; Dermatologic Agents; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Iontophoresis; Keratosis, Actinic; Laser Therapy; Microinjections; Skin; Skin Aging; Skin Neoplasms; Ultrasonography; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 32339593
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.04.008