Microneedles: A Potential Drug Delivery System for the Treatment of Cancer

Abstract

Hypodermic needles, topical lotions, and transdermal patches are the most common methods for transdermal drug administration. Most medicinal drugs have a limited effect due to the stratum corneum layer of the skin, which acts as a barrier for molecules, allowing only a few molecules to reach the site of action. Microneedles are a novel type of delivery method that helps to improve medication administration through this route while also solving the issues that come with conventional formulations. The fundamental mechanism entails disrupting the skin layer, resulting in micron-sized channels that lead the medication directly to the epidermis or upper dermis region, where it can bypass the barrier and enter the systemic circulation. Microneedle-based devices, in particular, can be utilised to deliver tiny and macromolecules such as chemotherapeutics, proteins, and genetic material, as well as nanoparticle-based anticancer medications.This review describes the various potential and applications of the microneedles in cancer treatmentSolid, dissolving, hydrogel, coated, and hollow microneedles are some of the varieties of microneedles that can be made. Many microneedle products have come the market in recent years. Although, before the microneedles can be properly launched into the market, a lot more study must be done to tackle the numerous problems.