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Updated: Sep 7, 2025
Author Spotlight: Non-Surgical Treatment of Melasma– Microneedling with Tranexamic Acid
Published on: January 19, 2024
Research progress of microneedles in the treatment of melanoma
Xiaodan Li1, Zhining Zhao1, Manyue Zhang1
1Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, No. 103, Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China.
Abstract:
Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy deriving from melanocytes, which is characterized by high tendency of metastases and mortality rate. Current therapies for melanoma, like chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy, have the problem of systemic exposure of drugs, which will lead to many side effects and premature degradation of drugs. The resulting low drug accumulation at the lesion limits the therapeutic effect on melanoma and makes the cure rate low. As an emerging drug delivery system, microneedles (MNs) can efficiently deliver drugs through the skin, increase the drug distribution in deeper tumor sites and minimize the leakage of therapeutic drugs into adjacent tissues, thus improving the therapeutic effect. In addition, compared with traditional drug delivery methods, MN-based drug delivery system has the advantages of simplicity, safety and little pain. So MNs can be developed for the treatment of melanoma, which can relieve the pain of patients and improve the survival rate. This review aims to introduce an update on the progress of MNs as an innovative strategy for melanoma, especially when MNs combining with different therapies against melanoma, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT) and synergic therapy.
Insights
Microneedles (MNs) offer a promising approach for melanoma treatment by enhancing drug delivery to tumors and minimizing side effects. This review explores MNs combined with various therapies to improve melanoma patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with high metastasis and mortality rates.
- Current melanoma treatments face challenges like systemic drug exposure, side effects, and low drug accumulation at tumor sites.
- Existing therapies often result in limited therapeutic effects and low cure rates for melanoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advancements in using microneedles (MNs) as an innovative strategy for melanoma treatment.
- To explore the combination of MNs with various therapeutic modalities for enhanced melanoma therapy.
- To highlight the potential of MNs in improving drug delivery, reducing side effects, and increasing survival rates in melanoma patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on microneedle technology for drug delivery.
- Analysis of studies combining microneedles with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), and photodynamic therapy (PDT).
- Evaluation of microneedle-based strategies for improving drug distribution and minimizing systemic exposure in melanoma treatment.
Main Results:
- Microneedles demonstrate efficient transdermal drug delivery, increasing drug concentration in deeper tumor tissues.
- MNs minimize drug leakage into surrounding tissues, thereby reducing systemic side effects.
- Combining MNs with therapies like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and PTT/PDT shows synergistic effects for melanoma treatment.
Conclusions:
- Microneedle-based drug delivery systems present a safe, simple, and minimally invasive approach for melanoma treatment.
- MNs enhance therapeutic efficacy by improving drug accumulation at the lesion site and reducing systemic toxicity.
- Further development of MNs holds significant potential for improving patient outcomes and survival rates in melanoma.
