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Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Polymeric Microneedle Array Fabrication by Photolithography
Published on: November 17, 2015
Microneedles: structure, classification, and application in oral cancer theranostics
Xintong Li1, Xi Xie1, Yongzhi Wu1
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Abstract:
Oral cancer is a malignant tumor that threatens the health of individuals on a global scale. Currently available clinical treatment methods, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, significantly impact the quality of life of patients with systemic side effects. In the treatment of oral cancer, local and efficient delivery of antineoplastic drugs or other substances (like photosensitizers) to improve the therapy effect is a potential way to optimize oral cancer treatments. As an emerging drug delivery system in recent years, microneedles (MNs) can be used for local drug delivery, offering the advantages of high efficiency, convenience, and noninvasiveness. This review briefly introduces the structures and characteristics of various types of MNs and summarizes MN preparation methods. An overview of the current research application of MNs in different cancer treatments is provided. Overall, MNs, as a means of transporting substances, demonstrate great potential in oral cancer treatments, and their promising future applications and perspectives of MNs are outlined in this review.
Insights
Microneedles (MNs) offer a promising, minimally invasive approach for targeted oral cancer treatment delivery. This review explores MNs
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Oral cancer poses a significant global health challenge, with current treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy causing substantial quality of life impacts due to systemic side effects.
- Optimizing oral cancer treatment necessitates efficient, localized delivery of antineoplastic drugs or photosensitizers to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structure, characteristics, and preparation methods of microneedles (MNs) as an emerging drug delivery system.
- To summarize the current applications of MNs in various cancer treatments, with a focus on oral cancer.
- To outline the future potential and perspectives of MNs in advancing oral cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of microneedle structures, types, and fabrication techniques.
- Survey of existing research on microneedle applications in cancer treatment, including oral cancer.
- Analysis of microneedles' advantages for localized drug delivery.
Main Results:
- Microneedles (MNs) are characterized by their efficiency, convenience, and non-invasive nature for localized drug delivery.
- Various MN types and preparation methods are available, offering versatility for different therapeutic agents.
- Current research indicates significant potential for MNs in diverse cancer treatment modalities.
Conclusions:
- Microneedles represent a highly promising drug delivery system for localized oral cancer treatment.
- MNs offer a viable strategy to improve therapeutic outcomes by enabling efficient and targeted delivery of anti-cancer agents.
- The future applications of microneedles in oral oncology are extensive and warrant further investigation.
