Microneedle Array-Based Platforms for Future Theranostic Applications

Abstract

Theranostics involves finding the biomarkers of a disease, fighting them through site specific drug delivery and following them for prognosis of the disease. Microneedle array technology has been used for drug delivery and extended for continuous monitoring of analytes present in the skin compartment. We envisage the use of microneedle arrays for future theranostic applications. The potential of combining microneedle array-based drug delivery and diagnostics as part of closed-loop control system for the management of diseases and delivery of precision drugs in individual patients is reported in this paper.

Keywords: artificial pancreas; microneedle arrays; theranostics; transdermal delivery.