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Dissolving Candlelit Microneedle for Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases
Jungyoon Ohn1,2,3, Mingyu Jang4,5, Bo Mi Kang1,2,3
1Department of Dermatology Seoul National University College of Medicine Seoul 03080 Republic of Korea.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|July 26, 2021
Summary
New dissolving microneedles offer a less painful alternative for delivering triamcinolone acetonide (TA) to treat chronic inflammatory skin diseases (CISDs). This novel approach ensures standardized drug delivery, reducing patient discomfort and improving treatment predictability compared to traditional TA intralesional injection (TAILI).
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Materials Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic inflammatory skin diseases (CISDs) affect numerous patients, with recalcitrant lesions often treated by intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TAILI).
- TAILI, while effective, causes significant pain and procedural variability, leading to patient reluctance and unpredictable outcomes.
- There is a need for improved drug delivery systems for topical corticosteroids in dermatology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate novel candle flame-shaped TA-loaded dissolving microneedles (Candlelit-DMN) for improved drug delivery.
- To evaluate the efficacy and standardization of Candlelit-DMN compared to traditional TAILI in an in vivo model.
- To assess the potential of Candlelit-DMN as a preferred alternative for dermatologists.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Candlelit-DMN using biocompatible and biodegradable materials, loaded with triamcinolone acetonide.
- Standardized insertion of Candlelit-DMN into human skin tissue using a conjoined applicator.
- Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects in an in vivo skin inflammation mouse model, assessing inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine gene expression.
Main Results:
- Candlelit-DMN demonstrated even distribution of TA across skin tissue.
- The applicator enabled standardized insertion and delivery of TA to the target skin layer.
- Candlelit-DMN effectively alleviated inflammation in vivo, comparable to TAILI, by suppressing inflammatory markers.
Conclusions:
- Candlelit-DMN offers a standardized, less painful, and effective method for delivering triamcinolone acetonide for chronic inflammatory skin diseases.
- This novel microneedle technology shows promise in improving patient compliance and treatment predictability.
- Dermatologists expressed interest in Candlelit-DMN as a superior alternative to current TAILI procedures.

