Microneedles for intradermal and transdermal drug delivery

The formidable barrier properties of the uppermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, impose significant limitations for successful systemic delivery of broad range of therapeutic molecules particularly macromolecules and genetic material. Microneedle (MN) has been proposed as a strategy to bre...

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Published inEuropean journal of pharmaceutical sciences Vol. 50; no. 5; pp. 623 - 637
Main Authors Tuan-Mahmood, Tuan-Mazlelaa, McCrudden, Maelíosa T.C., Torrisi, Barbara M., McAlister, Emma, Garland, Martin J., Singh, Thakur Raghu Raj, Donnelly, Ryan F.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands Elsevier B.V 18.12.2013
Subjects
Administration, Cutaneous
Animals
Diagnostic Imaging
Drug Delivery Systems
Drug monitoring
Humans
Hydrogel-forming
Hydrogels
Microinjections - adverse effects
Microneedle
Needles - adverse effects
Pain - etiology
Perception
Safety
Skin - microbiology
Transdermal drug delivery
Vaccination
Transdermal drug delivery
Hydrogel-forming
Drug monitoring
Safety
Vaccination
Microneedle
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Summary:The formidable barrier properties of the uppermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, impose significant limitations for successful systemic delivery of broad range of therapeutic molecules particularly macromolecules and genetic material. Microneedle (MN) has been proposed as a strategy to breach the stratum corneum barrier function in order to facilitate effective transport of molecules across the skin. This strategy involves use of micron sized needles fabricated of different materials and geometries to create transient aqueous conduits across the skin. MN, alone or with other enhancing strategies, has been demonstrated to dramatically enhance the skin permeability of numerous therapeutic molecules including biopharmaceuticals either in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo experiments. This suggested the promising use of MN technology for various possible clinical applications such as insulin delivery, transcutaneous immunisations and cutaneous gene delivery. MN has been proved as minimally invasive and painless in human subjects. This review article focuses on recent and future developments for MN technology including the latest type of MN design, challenges and strategies in MNs development as well as potential safety aspects based on comprehensive literature review pertaining to MN studies to date.
ISSN:0928-0987
1879-0720
DOI:10.1016/j.ejps.2013.05.005