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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Author Spotlight: Innovative Microneedle-Based Strategies for Enhanced Exosome Delivery and Stability
Published on: July 12, 2024
Stepwise exfoliated microneedle patch for immediate and concomitant targeted booster vaccination.
Sijia Zhang1, Pingge Zhou2, Zexi Tan2
1College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
This study introduces a novel microneedle patch for tumor vaccination, improving immune response and reducing dosing frequency. The innovative patch enhances dendritic cell recruitment and T-cell activation for superior tumor prevention and therapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Current tumor vaccines face challenges including low immunogenicity, need for multiple doses, and suboptimal delivery.
- Effective cancer immunotherapy requires robust immune cell activation and sustained antigen presentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a stepwise exfoliated microneedle (MN) patch for enhanced, targeted tumor vaccination.
- To evaluate the efficacy of the MN patch in reducing dosing frequency and improving immune responses for tumor prevention and therapy.
Main Methods:
- Developed a dual-layer MN patch with melittin in the outer layer and nanovaccine (NV) in the inner core.
- NV comprised ovalbumin (OVA), CpG, and Mn2+ ions for sustained antigen presentation and immune activation.
- Investigated the MN patch in a prophylactic B16-OVA melanoma mouse model.
Main Results:
- The MN patch successfully recruited and matured dendritic cells (DCs) via melittin release.
- Gradual NV release sustained antigen presentation and activated Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9) and cGAS-STING pathways.
- Treated mice showed reduced dosing frequency, enhanced antigen-specific immunity, superior tumor prevention, and durable immunological memory.
Conclusions:
- The stepwise exfoliated MN patch offers a promising strategy for tumor prevention and therapy by coupling immediate immune activation with sustained protection.
- This approach significantly enhances vaccine efficacy, improves patient compliance, and reduces treatment burden.
