Microneedle-Assisted Cell Delivery and Therapy

Cell-based therapeutics hold immense promise for clinical intervention, yet their practical translation is severely bottlenecked by suboptimal delivery kinetics, safety risks, and low patient adherence. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent innovations in microneedle (MN)-based cell delivery systems and their applications across multiple organs. We initiate the discussion by evaluating progress in regenerative medicine, specifically targeting stem and immune-derived lineages. The article further classifies MN systems for cell therapy delivery according to material composition, fabrication techniques, and functional characteristics, with an in-depth discussion of innovative designs, highlighting their unique advantages. Additionally, we categorize and analyze recent studies on MN-based cell therapy for skin diseases, endometrial repair, cardiac regeneration, and oral disorders. Beyond summarizing current achievements, we critically examine the translational barriers that limit clinical adoption, including manufacturing scalability, storage stability, and regulatory considerations. This review provides a systematic and organ-specific overview that may help guide the design of improved and more clinically translatable cell delivery platforms.