Work

Microneedle-Based Technologies for Long-Acting Transdermal Drug Delivery in Wearable Devices

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This review systematically outlines recent advances in long-acting microneedle-based transdermal drug delivery systems. It begins by introducing the fundamental principles of microneedles (MNs) as a minimally invasive technology and categorizes them by delivery mechanism into solid, coated, dissolving, hollow, hydrogel-forming, and biodegradable types. The review then discusses the design strategies and material platforms engineered for sustained drug release. A key focus is on biodegradable synthetic polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and polycaprolactone (PCL), and natural polymers like silk fibroin (SF) and chitosan (CS), which enable prolonged drug release through their tunable degradation rates. Furthermore, it describes the incorporation of advanced drug carriers, including liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles/microparticles, into MNs to further extend release duration and enhance drug-loading capacity. Finally, the major challenges for clinical translation are addressed, including ensuring batch-to-batch consistency in manufacturing, maintaining sterility, and the necessity for more comprehensive validation of long-term in vivo efficacy and safety.

Source: Sensors

DOI: 10.3390/s26010239

Authors: Jiaxin Luo, Yinqi Dai, Xin Cheng, Zifeng Wang, Zhigang Zhu

Institution: University of Shanghai for Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery

Subfield: Pharmaceutical Science

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137