Translation of Polymeric Microneedles for Treatment of Human Diseases: Recent Trends, Progress, and Challenges

Abstract

The ongoing search for biodegradable and biocompatible microneedles (MNs) that are strong enough to penetrate skin barriers, easy to prepare, and can be translated for clinical use continues. As such, this review paper is focused upon discussing the key points (e.g., choice polymeric MNs) for the translation of MNs from laboratory to clinical practice. The review reveals that polymers are most appropriately used for dissolvable and swellable MNs due to their wide range of tunable properties and that natural polymers are an ideal material choice as they structurally mimic native cellular environments. It has also been concluded that natural and synthetic polymer combinations are useful as polymers usually lack mechanical strength, stability, or other desired properties for the fabrication and insertion of MNs. This review evaluates fabrication methods and materials choice, disease and health conditions, clinical challenges, and the future of MNs in public healthcare services, focusing on literature from the last decade.

Microneedle-Based Natural Polysaccharide for Drug Delivery Systems (DDS): Progress and Challenges

“…In summary, the protein cargo of MNs has improved storage stability and prolonged shelf life due to the rigid glassy microneedle matrices that constrain molecular mobility and limit the availability of atmospheric oxygen. This period can be prolonged by adding stabilizers, particularly trehalose and sucrose [162]. Careful attention to water is particularly critical when storage conditions are not evacuated, as it can destroy not only the stability of the charged cargo but also the mechanical properties of the MNs.…”

Wearable Electrochemical Sensors in Parkinson’s Disease

“…Over the last few years, researchers in bioengineering have designed more advanced biosensors aimed at detecting medically relevant biomolecules from internal (i.e., blood and interstitial fluid-ISF) and, to a lesser extent, external fluids (i.e., saliva, sweat, tear and urine) [26]. Accordingly, several types of chemical sensing platforms have been produced and released for medical purposes [15,25,[27][28][29][30]. Specifically, among chemical platforms, the MN biosensors have deserved the largest funding due to the fast, real-time, reliable and minimally invasive recording of several biological molecules, with potential application as wearable, miniaturized, and portable devices [15,31,32].…”

Preparation and characterization of flexible furosemide-loaded biodegradable microneedles for intradermal drug delivery

“…Polymeric MNs are widely used in controlled-release drug delivery as a result of their tunable properties and ease of patient self-administration. 2,3 Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) copolymer is often used for sustained drug release owing to its intrinsic properties including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and favorable mechanical performance. [4][5][6][7][8] Therefore, PLGA offers excellent applicability and is commonly used for preparing MNs.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8] Therefore, PLGA offers excellent applicability and is commonly used for preparing MNs. 3,[9][10][11][12] Congestive heart failure (CHF) has been recognized as a worldwide endemic, where numbers in the United States are expected to increase by 46% by 2030, 13 particularly as a result of population growth and aging. 14 It imposes a significant medical and economic burden characterized by a high 5-year mortality, reaching 53% from the moment of diagnosis.…”