TLDR Hydrogel-forming microneedles are promising for safe, efficient, and controlled drug delivery through the skin.
Hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMs) present a promising advancement in transdermal drug delivery (TDD) due to their ability to penetrate the stratum corneum efficiently and deliver drugs in a minimally invasive manner. HFMs are advantageous because they are safe, non-toxic, leave no residual material, have a high drug loading capacity, and allow for controlled drug release, making them suitable for long-term and multiple drug deliveries. Despite their potential, the transition of HFM systems to clinical applications faces several challenges. This review highlights the characteristics of skin structure and TDD, explores TDD strategies using HFMs, and discusses the evaluation methods and applications of HFM systems in disease treatment.
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