Advances and Prospects for Hydrogel-Forming Microneedles in Transdermal Drug Delivery

Hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMs) are a promising advancement in transdermal drug delivery due to their safety, non-toxicity, and ability to deliver drugs in a controlled and sustained manner. They are composed of swellable polymers that allow for high drug loading and release without leaving residual materials, making them suitable for long-term and multiple drug deliveries. HFMs improve patient compliance by providing a minimally invasive and painless method. They have been successfully used in treating diseases like cancer and diabetes, offering targeted delivery and enhanced therapeutic effects. However, challenges such as biosafety, industrial production, and sterilization need to be addressed for successful clinical application.