Recent Progress of Polymeric Microneedle-Assisted Long-Acting Transdermal Drug Delivery

Recent advancements in polymeric microneedle (MN) technology have shown significant promise for long-acting transdermal drug delivery, improving patient compliance and therapeutic efficacy for chronic diseases. Key strategies include nano/microparticle-loaded dissolving MNs, biodegradable polymeric MNs, swellable polymeric MNs, and back-layer reservoir MNs, which utilize various polymers and drug encapsulation techniques for sustained drug release. Applications span diabetes management, cancer treatment, skin diseases, contraception, and vaccine delivery, demonstrating enhanced drug absorption, reduced systemic toxicity, and improved therapeutic outcomes. Despite these advancements, challenges in manufacturing scalability, regulatory pathways, and patient acceptance remain, necessitating continued research and regulatory guidance for clinical translation.