Chessboard Microneedle Array for Inflammation Regulation via Spatiotemporally Controlled Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can cause inflammation and tumor metastasis due to excessive reactive oxygen species.
• Current PDT treatments face challenges in managing inflammation and preventing metastasis.
• Developing localized, controlled drug delivery systems is crucial for effective PDT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a microneedle patch for spatiotemporally controlled PDT and anti-inflammatory treatment.
• To investigate the sequential regulation of oxidation and antioxidation using a novel drug delivery platform.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the microneedle patch in treating inflammatory conditions like acne and melanoma.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a chessboard-structured microneedle patch (HPC@PCN CMN) using micromolding.
• Encapsulation of photosensitizers and antioxidants in distinct fast- and sustained-release microneedle systems.
• Regulation of antioxidant release rate by adjusting hyaluronic acid crosslinking degree.
• Assessment of anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of the ATP-P2RX4 pathway.

Main Results:

• The HPC@PCN CMN patch successfully achieved spatiotemporally ordered control of PDT and anti-inflammatory treatment.
• Adjustable crosslinking of hyaluronic acid enabled prolonged anti-inflammatory effects.
• The microneedle patch demonstrated efficacy in alleviating inflammation by inhibiting the ATP-P2RX4 pathway.
• Promising therapeutic potential was observed in acne and melanoma models.

Conclusions:

• The developed chessboard microneedle platform offers programmable, sequential regulation of oxidation-antioxidation.
• This platform presents a versatile approach for advanced drug delivery applications.
• The study highlights a promising strategy for enhancing PDT efficacy by managing inflammation and preventing metastasis.