Accelerated cascade melanoma therapy using enzyme-nanozyme-integrated dissolvable polymeric microneedles

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapy

Background:

• Melanoma treatment often involves systemic administration, leading to off-target side effects.
• Localized drug delivery systems are needed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity.
• Dissolvable polymeric microneedles (DPMNs) offer a minimally invasive platform for targeted therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a DPMN patch for localized melanoma treatment using an enzyme-nanozyme composite.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of photothermal, starvation, and chemodynamic therapies.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the DPMN system in a preclinical melanoma model.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of DPMNs incorporating glucose oxidase (Gox) and a near-infrared (NIR) responsive copper sulfide (CuS) nanozyme.
• In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the DPMN system in a mouse melanoma model.
• Assessment of tumor volume reduction, reactive oxygen species generation, and systemic toxicity.

Main Results:

• The DPMN patch successfully converted glucose into reactive oxygen species, targeting cancer cells.
• Combined therapy (photothermal, starvation, chemodynamic) achieved 99.2% tumor volume reduction within 10 days.
• The DPMN system demonstrated localized treatment, enhancing tumor uptake and reducing kidney/spleen exposure.

Conclusions:

• The developed DPMN patch is a highly potent and safe localized treatment for melanoma.
• NIR irradiation allows for controlled therapeutic potency and regulated toxicity.
• This microneedle-based strategy offers improved safety and efficacy compared to conventional methods.