Recent progress of polymeric microneedle-assisted long-acting transdermal drug delivery

J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2024 Mar 20:27:12434. doi: 10.3389/jpps.2024.12434. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Microneedle (MN)-assisted drug delivery technology has gained increasing attention over the past two decades. Its advantages of self-management and being minimally invasive could allow this technology to be an alternative to hypodermic needles. MNs can penetrate the stratum corneum and deliver active ingredients to the body through the dermal tissue in a controlled and sustained release. Long-acting polymeric MNs can reduce administration frequency to improve patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes, especially in the management of chronic diseases. In addition, long-acting MNs could avoid gastrointestinal reactions and reduce side effects, which has potential value for clinical application. In this paper, advances in design strategies and applications of long-acting polymeric MNs are reviewed. We also discuss the challenges in scale manufacture and regulations of polymeric MN systems. These two aspects will accelerate the effective clinical translation of MN products.

Keywords: drug delivery systems; long-acting drug release; microneedles; polymeric; transdermal.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Microinjections
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Polymers
  • Skin*

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Polymers

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China, grant number ZR2022QB14, and the Education and Teaching Reform Research Project of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China, grant number XM2023016.