Long-Acting Microneedle Formulations

August 2023 in “ Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews ”

Lalitkumar K. Vora, Akmal Hidayat Bin Sabri, Yara A. Naser, Achmad Himawan, Aaron R.J. Hutton, Qonita Kurnia Anjani, Fabiana Volpe‐Zanutto, Deepakkumar Mishra, Mingshan Li, Aoife M. Rodgers, Alejandro J. Paredes, Eneko Larrañeta, Raghu Raj Singh Thakur, Ryan F. Donnelly

microneedles MNs dermal ocular dissolving microneedles polymeric microneedles fast-separable microneedles hollow microneedles hydrogel microneedles PLGA PLA/PLGA PCL silk fibroin chitosan gelatin skin diseases levonorgestrel skin

Studysummary This review discusses various microneedle technologies for long-acting drug delivery, highlighting design considerations and challenges in bringing these minimally invasive devices to market, but it reports no new clinical results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document reviews the use of microneedles (MNs) for long-acting drug delivery. MNs are minimally invasive systems that can deliver a variety of therapeutics directly into the dermal and ocular space, potentially increasing patient compliance. Different types of MNs, including dissolving, polymeric, fast-separable, hollow, and hydrogel MNs, have been evaluated. The design of MNs, including factors like the radius of the needle tip, needle height, base width, interspacing between needles, aspect ratio, and shape, plays a crucial role in their effectiveness. The document also discusses the use of different polymeric matrices for the long-acting dissolving/degrading type, including PLGA, PLA/PLGA, PCL, silk fibroin, chitosan, and gelatin. MNs have been used for various applications, including vaccination, cancer therapy, diabetes management, and treatment of skin diseases. For instance, a contraceptive patch using MNs to deliver a long-acting contraceptive hormone, levonorgestrel, can be applied for up to three weeks. MNs can also be used to deliver insulin to diabetic patients over a period of days, reducing the need for frequent injections. Despite promising results, more positive preclinical and clinical data are needed to fully appreciate the promise of this unique drug delivery technology.

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