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Polymeric Microneedle Array Fabrication by Photolithography
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Localised light delivery on melanoma cells using optical microneedles
Xiaobin Wu1,2, Jongho Park1, Siu Yu A Chow1,3
1Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Biomedical Optics Express
|March 14, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed polylactic acid (PLA) microneedles to deliver blue light therapy for skin cancer treatment. This novel approach effectively transmitted light to melanoma cells, impacting their viability.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Photomedicine
- Dermatology
Background:
- Light-based therapies offer a drug-free, non-invasive treatment for skin cancer.
- Current limitations include poor light penetration to deep skin lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel polylactic acid (PLA) microneedle array for enhanced light transmission in skin cancer therapy.
- To investigate the efficacy of blue light delivered via microneedles on melanoma cell apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a PLA microneedle array system with a height fixation device and LED array for blue light irradiation.
- In vitro evaluation using B16F10 melanoma cells.
- Assessment of cell apoptosis via Hoechst staining.
Main Results:
- Successful transmission of blue light through PLA microneedles to skin cells.
- Demonstrated significant effect of blue light-microneedle combination on melanoma cell viability.
- Quantified impact on cell apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- PLA microneedles serve as an effective platform for delivering light-based therapy to skin cells.
- This microneedle-mediated light delivery shows promise for treating skin cancer, particularly melanoma.
- Further research can explore in vivo applications and optimization for deeper tissue penetration.
