Title : From nanoparticles to microneedles: Emerging strategies in skin cancer treatment
Abstract:
The incidence rate of skin cancer is very high around the globe, making melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer serious concerns to the community at large. Current methods used for managing these cancers are limited by problems such as toxicity of drugs to other body organs, inability to reach deep tissue, frequent dosing, and poor compliance on the part of patients. There have been many developments in the fields of nanotechnology and transdermal drug delivery systems that have facilitated the design of microneedle systems carrying nanoparticles.
The microneedles are micron sized needles capable of making temporary microchannels through the stratum corneum layer, which acts as the major impediment in delivering drugs into the skin through the transdermal route. Microneedle systems loaded with nanoparticles possess all benefits inherent in both microneedle systems and nanoparticles for enhanced stability, controlled drug release, improved penetration, and site-specific delivery of medicines. Several forms of nanocarriers such as polymer nanoparticles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, metallic nanoparticles, and nanoemulsions have been developed for incorporation within microneedles and delivery of chemo-therapeutic drugs, immunomodulatory molecules, genetic material, and photosensitizers.
The focus of this keynote speech will be the design principles, manufacturing process, and medical applications of microneedles loaded with nanoparticles for skin cancer therapy. Current advancements in the field of dissolving, hydrogel-based, coated, and stimulus-responsive microneedles will be addressed, focusing especially on the advantages of increased local concentration of drugs, minimized systemic side effects, and optimized therapeutic efficiency. Additional new trends, including combined therapy, genetic modification, cancer immunotherapy, and microneedles with diagnostic capabilities, will also be considered. Challenges associated with mass production, regulations, long-term effects, and clinical trials will be mentioned.
Microneedles loaded with nanoparticles offer a breakthrough technology in transdermal cancer therapy, combining the benefits of nanotechnology and targeted drug delivery. Such an innovation offers great opportunities in the field of skin cancer therapy.
Keywords: Skin Cancer, Microneedles, Nanoparticles, Transdermal Drug Delivery, Nanomedicine, Targeted Therapy, Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy.
