Microneedles: an emerging transdermal drug delivery system

Use of Drawing Lithography-Fabricated Polyglycolic Acid Microneedles for Transdermal Delivery of Itraconazole to a Human Basal Cell Carcinoma Model Regenerated on Mice

Itraconazole is a triazole agent that is routinely used for treatment of nail infections and other fungal infections. Recent studies indicate that itraconazole can also inhibit the growth of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) through suppression of the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway. In this study, polyglycolic acid microneedle arrays and stainless steel microneedle arrays were used for transdermal delivery of itraconazole to a human BCC model which was regenerated on mice. One-by-four arrays of 642-μm-long polyglycolic acid microneedles with sharp tips were prepared using injection molding and drawing lithography. Arrays of 85 stainless steel 800-μm-tall microneedles attached to syringes were obtained for comparison purposes. Skin grafts containing devitalized split-thickness human dermis that had been seeded with human keratinocytes transduced to express human SHH protein were sutured to the skin of immunodeficient mice. Mice with this human BCC model were treated daily for 2 weeks with itraconazole dissolved in 60% dimethylsulfoxane and 40% polyethylene glycol-400 solution; transdermal administration of the itraconazole solution was facilitated by either four 1 × 4 polyglycolic acid microneedle arrays or stainless steel microneedle arrays. The epidermal tissues treated with polyglycolic acid microneedles or stainless steel microneedles were markedly thinner than that of the control (untreated) graft tissue. These preliminary results indicate that microneedles may be used to facilitate transdermal delivery of itraconazole for localized treatment of BCC.

Insulin delivery methods: Past, present and future

Many patients with advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and all patients with T1DM require insulin to keep blood glucose levels in the target range. The most common route of insulin administration is subcutaneous insulin injections. There are many ways to deliver insulin subcutaneously such as vials and syringes, insulin pens, and insulin pumps. Though subcutaneous insulin delivery is the standard route of insulin administration, it is associated with injection pain, needle phobia, lipodystrophy, noncompliance and peripheral hyperinsulinemia. Therefore, the need exists for delivering insulin in a minimally invasive or noninvasive and in most physiological way. Inhaled insulin was the first approved noninvasive and alternative way to deliver insulin, but it has been withdrawn from the market. Technologies are being explored to make the noninvasive delivery of insulin possible. Some of the routes of insulin administration that are under investigation are oral, buccal, nasal, peritoneal and transdermal. This review article focuses on the past, present and future of various insulin delivery techniques. This article has focused on different possible routes of insulin administration with its advantages and limitation and possible scope for the new drug development.

Development of a drug-coated microneedle array and its application for transdermal delivery of interferon alpha

Interferon alpha (IFNα) is one of the most famous drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and various types of human malignancy. Protein drugs, including IFNα, are generally administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection due to their poor permeability and low stability in the bloodstream or gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, in the present study, novel IFNα-coated polyvinyl alcohol-based microneedle arrays (IFNα-MNs) were fabricated for the transdermal delivery of IFNα without the painful injection. IFNα was rapidly released from MNs in phosphate buffered solution and these MNs presented piercing ability in the rat skin. Slight erythema and irritation were observed when MNs were applied to the rat skin, but these skin damages completely disappeared within 24 h after removing the IFNα-MNs. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic parameters of IFNα-MNs were similar to those of IFNα subcutaneous administration. Finally, IFNα-MNs showed a significant antitumor effect in tumor bearing mice similar to that of IFNα subcutaneous administration. These results indicate that IFNα-MNs are a useful biomaterial tool for protein drug therapy and can improve the quality of life in patients by avoidance of painful injections.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Vancomycin in Dermal Interstitial Fluid Using Dissolving Microneedles

OBJECTIVE

To design an alternative painless method for vancomycin (VCM) monitoring by withdrawing interstitial fluid (ISF) the skin using dissolving microneedles (DMNs) and possibly replace the conventional clinical blood sampling method.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were anesthetized with 50 mg/kg sodium pentobarbital. Vancomycin at 5 mg/mL in saline was intravenously administered via the jugular vein. ISF was collected from a formed pore at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 120 min after the DMNs was removed from the skin. In addition, 0.3 mL blood samples were collected from the left femoral vein.

RESULTS

The correlation between the plasma and ISF VCM concentrations was significantly strong (r = 0.676, p < 0.05). Microscopic observation of the skin after application of the DMNs demonstrated their safety as a device for sampling ISF.

CONCLUSION

A novel monitoring method for VCM was developed to painlessly determine concentrations in the ISF as opposed to blood sampling.

Microneedle Coating Techniques for Transdermal Drug Delivery

Drug administration via the transdermal route is an evolving field that provides an alternative to oral and parenteral routes of therapy. Several microneedle (MN) based approaches have been developed. Among these, coated MNs (typically where drug is deposited on MN tips) are a minimally invasive method to deliver drugs and vaccines through the skin. In this review, we describe several processes to coat MNs. These include dip coating, gas jet drying, spray coating, electrohydrodynamic atomisation (EHDA) based processes and piezoelectric inkjet printing. Examples of process mechanisms, conditions and tested formulations are provided. As these processes are independent techniques, modifications to facilitate MN coatings are elucidated. In summary, the outcomes and potential value for each technique provides opportunities to overcome formulation or dosage form limitations. While there are significant developments in solid degradable MNs, coated MNs (through the various techniques described) have potential to be utilized in personalized drug delivery via controlled deposition onto MN templates.

Application of monodirectional Janus patch to oromucosal delivery system

Drug delivery through mucosae has received huge research attention owing to its advantageous characteristics such as accurate dose control and the avoidance of premature metabolism of vulnerable drugs by oral administration. However, body fluid in mucosae may dissolve the drug, releasing it to unwanted directions. Here, a Janus drug delivery patch with monodirectional diffusion property is devised to deliver drugs efficiently and to overcome the issue of unwanted drug release. A polyester fabric is coated with a hydrophobic polymer, poly(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10-heptadecafluorodecyl methacrylate), via initiated chemical vapor deposition. Subsequently, hydrophilicity is rendered selectively on one surface by base-catalyzed hydrolysis to obtain a Janus substrate with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. The hydrophilic surface of the Janus substrate is further coated with resveratrol-loaded hydrogel to produce a Janus drug delivery patch. The fabricated patch efficiently blocks fluid penetration from one side to the other in mucous environment. Delivery of resveratrol through hairless mouse skin and reconstructed human mucosae using Janus patch shows higher permeation flux compared to bare control patch. The Janus drug delivery patch shown in this study can be a useful tool for efficient transmucosal delivery of various kinds of drugs.

Transdermal Drug Delivery: Innovative Pharmaceutical Developments Based on Disruption of the Barrier Properties of the stratum corneum

The skin offers an accessible and convenient site for the administration of medications. To this end, the field of transdermal drug delivery, aimed at developing safe and efficacious means of delivering medications across the skin, has in the past and continues to garner much time and investment with the continuous advancement of new and innovative approaches. This review details the progress and current status of the transdermal drug delivery field and describes numerous pharmaceutical developments which have been employed to overcome limitations associated with skin delivery systems. Advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches are detailed, commercially marketed products are highlighted and particular attention is paid to the emerging field of microneedle technologies.

Delivery of large molecular protein using flat and short microneedles prepared using focused ion beam (FIB) as a skin ablation tool

Many studies have been reported in the literature on the effects of various geometries and lengths of microneedles (MNs) on transdermal drug delivery using a variety of drug molecules. In particular, sharp-tipped MNs have been used to disrupt the top layer of the skin, namely, stratum corneum (SC). It has also been shown that short- and flat-tipped MNs can pierce the SC and they have the potential to increase drug permeability. However, there is little work that explores MNs as a skin ablative tool with a view to increasing skin permeability. To address this point, well-defined small patterns (size of individual pattern 10–20 μm) on the tip of flat MN (tip radius of individual MN ∼250 μm) were created and their effects evaluated on the permeability of bovine serum albumin (BSA), which is chosen as a model drug of high molecular weight. The patterns on the tip of flat MN act as rough surfaces (e.g. like sand paper) which when applied on the surface of the skin ablate the SC layer. Focused ion beam (FIB) has been used as the fabrication technique for the MNs. The permeability data are then compared with the other data for flat- and sharp-tipped MN. The permeability data from passive diffusion experiments are used as the reference case. The exact number of MNs or patterns in the flat and patterned MN patches is not considered as important as they have not been designed to pierce the skin. However, this is an important consideration in the case of sharp MNs as they pierce and create cavities in the skin. It is found that the delivery of BSA with the fabricated flat and patterned MNs gave similar but somewhat lower drug permeation profile in comparison to the sharp MNs. Passive diffusion showed no permeation, as would be expected due to the large size of the chosen molecule.

Planar bioadhesive microdevices: a new technology for oral drug delivery

The oral route is the most convenient and least expensive route of drug administration. Yet, it is accompanied by many physiological barriers to drug uptake including low stomach pH, intestinal enzymes and transporters, mucosal barriers, and high intestinal fluid shear. While many drug delivery systems have been developed for oral drug administration, the physiological components of the gastro intestinal tract remain formidable barriers to drug uptake. Recently, microfabrication techniques have been applied to create micron-scale devices for oral drug delivery with a high degree of control over microdevice size, shape, chemical composition, drug release profile, and targeting ability. With precise control over device properties, microdevices can be fabricated with characteristics that provide increased adhesion for prolonged drug exposure, unidirectional release which serves to avoid luminal drug loss and enhance drug permeation, and protection of a drug payload from the harsh environment of the intestinal tract. Here we review the recent developments in microdevice technology and discuss the potential of these devices to overcome unsolved challenges in oral drug delivery.

Flexible PEGDA-based microneedle patches with detachable PVP–CD arrowheads for transdermal drug delivery

A polymer-based microneedle patch with drug-loaded and detachable arrowhead tips for transdermal drug delivery.

"Skin facts" to optimize aesthetic outcomes

Aesthetic providers need to be well versed in the anatomy and intricacies of the skin. This foundational skin knowledge is critical in assessing clients' aged skin during the aesthetic consultation. A sound understanding of the skin is also a prerequisite to any facial rejuvenation procedure. This article provides the aesthetic provider with the basics of skin anatomy and how the skin changes over time.

How to overcome the limitations of current insulin administration with new non-invasive delivery systems

Non-invasive insulin delivery systems have potential to overcome the most pressing problem regarding effective treatment of diabetic patients: therapy compliance. To overcome this disadvantage, non-invasive routes such as oral, buccal, pulmonary, nasal and transdermal have been proposed. These new routes of insulin administration may help to suppress hypoglycemia episodes and aid to control weight gain and post-meal glucose. Despite all efforts the invasive route remains preferential, since studies on insulin administration by non-invasive routes conducted to date have not demonstrated clinical efficacy and safety, including some products introduced in the market. Therefore, the aim of this review is to make an update of the current state of administration of insulin by non-invasive routes as alternatives to the conventional invasive route.

Assessment of simvastatin niosomes for pediatric transdermal drug delivery

The prevalence of childhood dyslipidemia increases and is considered as an important risk factor for the incidence of cardiovascular disease in the adulthood. To improve dosing accuracy and facilitate the determination of dosing regimens in function of the body weight, the proposed study aims at preparing transdermal niosomal gels of simvastatin as possible transdermal drug delivery system for pediatric applications. Twelve formulations were prepared to screen the influence of formulation and processing variables on critical niosomal characteristics. Nano-sized niosomes with 0.31 μm number-weighted size displayed highest simvastatin release rate with 8.5% entrapment capacity. The niosomal surface coverage by negative charges was calculated according to Langmuir isotherm with n = 0.42 to suggest that the surface association was site-independent, probably producing surface rearrangements. Hypolipidemic activities after transdermal administration of niosomal gels to rats showed significant reduction in cholesterol and triglyceride levels while increasing plasma high-density lipoproteins concentration. Bioavailability estimation in rats revealed an augmentation in simvastatin bioavailability by 3.35 and 2.9 folds from formulation F3 and F10, respectively, compared with oral drug suspension. Hence, this transdermal simvastatin niosomes not only exhibited remarkable potential to enhance its bioavailability and hypolipidemic activity but also considered a promising pediatric antihyperlipidemic formulation.

Investigation on fabrication process of dissolving microneedle arrays to improve effective needle drug distribution

The dissolving microneedle array (DMNA) offers a novel potential approach for transdermal delivery of biological macromolecular drugs and vaccines, because it can be as efficient as hypodermic injection and as safe and patient compliant as conventional transdermal delivery. However, effective needle drug distribution is the main challenge for clinical application of DMNA. This study focused on the mechanism and control of drug diffusion inside DMNA during the fabrication process in order to improve the drug delivery efficiency. The needle drug loading proportion (NDP) in DMNAs was measured to determine the influences of drug concentration gradient, needle drying step, excipients, and solvent of the base solution on drug diffusion and distribution. The results showed that the evaporation of base solvent was the key factor determining NDP. Slow evaporation of water from the base led to gradual increase of viscosity, and an approximate drug concentration equilibrium was built between the needle and base portions, resulting in NDP as low as about 6%. When highly volatile ethanol was used as the base solvent, the viscosity in the base rose quickly, resulting in NDP more than 90%. Ethanol as base solvent did not impact the insertion capability of DMNAs, but greatly increased the in vitro drug release and transdermal delivery from DMNAs. Furthermore, the drug diffusion process during DMNA fabrication was thoroughly investigated for the first time, and the outcomes can be applied to most two-step molding processes and optimization of the DMNA fabrication.

A method to improve the efficacy of topical eflornithine hydrochloride cream

CONTEXT

Facial hirsutism is a cosmetic concern for women and can lead to significant anxiety and lack of self-esteem. Eflornithine cream is indicated for the treatment of facial hirsutism. However, limited success rate and overall patient's satisfaction, even with a long-term and high-frequency application, leave room for improvement.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to test the effect of microneedle treatment on the in vitro skin permeation and the in vivo efficacy of eflornithine cream in a mouse model.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

In vitro permeation study of eflornithine was performed using Franz diffusion cell. In vivo efficacy study was performed in a mouse model by monitoring the re-growth of hair in the lower dorsal skin of mice after the eflornithine cream was applied onto an area pretreated with microneedles. The skin and the hair follicles in the treated area were also examined histologically.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The hair growth inhibitory activity of eflornithine was significantly enhanced when the eflornithine cream was applied onto a mouse skin area pretreated with microneedles, most likely because the micropores created by microneedles allowed the permeation of eflornithine into the skin, as confirmed in an in vitro permeation study. Immunohistochemistry data revealed that cell proliferation in the skin and hair follicles was also significantly inhibited when the eflornithine cream was applied onto a skin area pretreated with microneedles.

CONCLUSION

The integration of microneedle treatment into topical eflornithine therapy represents a potentially viable approach to increase eflornithine's ability to inhibit hair growth.

Skin resurfacing procedures: new and emerging options

The demand for skin resurfacing and rejuvenating procedures has progressively increased in the last decade and has sparked several advances within the skin resurfacing field that promote faster healing while minimizing downtime and side effects for patients. Several technological and procedural skin resurfacing developments are being integrated into clinical practices today allowing clinicians to treat a broader range of patients' skin types and pathologies than in years past, with noteworthy outcomes. This article will discuss some emerging and developing resurfacing therapies and treatments that are present today and soon to be available.

The role of microneedles for drug and vaccine delivery

INTRODUCTION

Transdermal drug delivery offers a number of advantages for the patient, not only due to its non-invasive and convenient nature, but also due to factors such as avoidance of first-pass metabolism and prevention of gastrointestinal degradation. It has been demonstrated that microneedles (MNs) can increase the number of compounds amenable to transdermal delivery by penetrating the skin's protective barrier, the stratum corneum, and creating a pathway for drug permeation to the dermal tissue below.

AREAS COVERED

MNs have been extensively investigated for drug and vaccine delivery. The different types of MN arrays and their delivery capabilities are discussed in terms of drugs, including biopharmaceutics and vaccines. Patient usage and effects on the skin are also considered.

EXPERT OPINION

MN research and development is now at the stage where commercialisation is a viable possibility. There are a number of long-term safety questions relating to patient usage which will need to be addressed moving forward. Regulatory guidance is awaited to direct the scale-up of the manufacturing process alongside provision of clearer patient instruction for safe and effective use of MN devices.

Optimization of self-nanoemulsifying systems for the enhancement of in vivo hypoglycemic efficacy of glimepiride transdermal patches

OBJECTIVES

To optimize and use of glimepiride (GMD)-loaded self-nanoemulsifying delivery systems (SNEDs) for the preparation of transdermal patches.

METHODS

Mixture design was utilized to optimize GMD-loaded SNEDs in acidic and aqueous pH media. Optimized GMD-loaded SNEDs were used in the preparation of chitosan (acidic) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) (aqueous) films. The prepared optimized formulations were investigated for ex vivo skin permeation, for in vivo hypoglycemic activity and for their pharmacokinetic parameters using animal model.

RESULTS

The optimized formulations showed flux value of (2.88 and 4.428 μg/cm(2)/h) through rat skin for chitosan and HPMC films, respectively. The pattern of GMD release from both formulations was in favor of Higuchi and approaching zero order models. The n values for Korsmeyer-Peppas equation were characteristic of anomalous (non-Fickian) release mechanism. Moreover, HPMC patches have shown significant reductions (p < 0.05) in blood glucose levels; (213.33 ± 15.19) mg/100 ml from the base-line measurement after 12 h of application.

CONCLUSIONS

Optimized GMD SNEDs patches were found to improve GMD skin permeability and the essential pharmacokinetic parameters. Further extensive pre/clinical studies are necessary prior to use transdermal GMD as a valuable alternative to peroral dosage forms with improved bioavailability, longer duration of action and more patient convenience.

Microneedle electrodes toward an amperometric glucose-sensing smart patch

Here, efforts toward the development of a microneedle-based glucose sensor or "smart patch" for intradermal glucose sensing are described. Metallic microneedle array electrodes, conducting polymers, and glucose oxidase form the sensor platform. This work represents the first steps toward the development of painless, transdermal-sensing devices for continuous glucose monitoring.

The effect of microneedles on the skin permeability and antitumor activity of topical 5-fluorouracil

Topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is approved for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis. However, 5-FU suffers from poor skin permeation. Microneedles have been successfully applied to improve the skin permeability of small and large molecules, and even nanoparticles, by creating micron-sized pores in the stratum corneum layer of the skin. In this report, the feasibility of using microneedles to increase the skin permeability of 5-FU was tested. Using full thickness mouse skin mounted on Franz diffusion apparatus, it was shown that the flux of 5-FU through the skin was increased by up to 4.5-fold when the skin was pretreated with microneedles (500 μm in length, 50 μm in base diameter). In a mouse model with B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells implanted in the subcutaneous space, the antitumor activity of a commercially available 5-FU topical cream (5%) was significantly enhanced when the cream was applied on a skin area that was pretreated with microneedles, as compared to when the cream was simply applied on a skin area, underneath which the tumor cells were implanted, and without pretreatment of the skin with microneedles. Fluorouracil is not approved for melanoma therapy, but the clinical efficacy of topical 5-FU against tumors such as basal cell carcinoma may be improved by integrating microneedle technology into the therapy.

Phage display as a technology delivering on the promise of peptide drug discovery

Phage display represents an important approach in the development pipeline for producing peptides and peptidomimetics therapeutics. Using randomly generated DNA sequences and molecular biology techniques, large diverse peptide libraries can be displayed on the phage surface. The phage library can be incubated with a target of interest and the phage which bind can be isolated and sequenced to reveal the displayed peptides' primary structure. In this review, we focus on the 'mechanics' of the phage display process, whilst highlighting many diverse and subtle ways it has been used to further the drug-development process, including the potential for the phage particle itself to be used as a drug carrier targeted to a particular pathogen or cell type in the body.

Dissolving and biodegradable microneedle technologies for transdermal sustained delivery of drug and vaccine

Microneedles were first conceptualized for drug delivery many decades ago, overcoming the shortages and preserving the advantages of hypodermic needle and conventional transdermal drug-delivery systems to some extent. Dissolving and biodegradable microneedle technologies have been used for transdermal sustained deliveries of different drugs and vaccines. This review describes microneedle geometry and the representative dissolving and biodegradable microneedle delivery methods via the skin, followed by the fabricating methods. Finally, this review puts forward some perspectives that require further investigation.

Fabricated micro-nano devices for in vivo and in vitro biomedical applications

In recent years, the innovative use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMSs) in biomedical applications has opened wide opportunities for precise and accurate human diagnostics and therapeutics. The introduction of nanotechnology in biomedical applications has facilitated the exact control and regulation of biological environments. This ability is derived from the small size of the devices and their multifunctional capabilities to operate at specific sites for selected durations of time. Researchers have developed wide varieties of unique and multifunctional MEMS/NEMS devices with micro and nano features for biomedical applications (BioMEMS/NEMS) using the state of the art microfabrication techniques and biocompatible materials. However, the integration of devices with the biological milieu is still a fundamental issue to be addressed. Devices often fail to operate due to loss of functionality, or generate adverse toxic effects inside the body. The in vitro and in vivo performance of implantable BioMEMS such as biosensors, smart stents, drug delivery systems, and actuation systems are researched extensively to understand the interaction of the BioMEMS devices with physiological environments. BioMEMS developed for drug delivery applications include microneedles, microreservoirs, and micropumps to achieve targeted drug delivery. The biocompatibility of BioMEMS is further enhanced through the application of tissue and smart surface engineering. This involves the application of nanotechnology, which includes the modification of surfaces with polymers or the self-assembly of monolayers of molecules. Thereby, the adverse effects of biofouling can be reduced and the performance of devices can be improved in in vivo and in vitro conditions.

Dissolving microneedles to obtain rapid local anesthetic effect of lidocaine at skin tissue

Dissolving microneedles (DMs) were applied to lidocaine for local anesthesia of the skin. Three DM array chips were prepared where lidocaine was localized at the acral portion of DMs (type 1), loaded in whole DMs (type 2), and lidocaine was loaded both in whole DMs and the chip (type 3). DM chips were 15-mm diameter with 225 DMs, each 500-μm long with a 300-μm diameter base. The lidocaine contents were (type 1) 0.08 ± 0.01 mg, (type 2) 0.22 ± 0.01 mg and (type 3) 8.52 ± 0.49 mg. Lidocaine was released from type 1 and 2 DM array chips within 10 min. Pharmacological activity of DMs were compared to lidocaine cream by the suppression of idiospasm of hair-removed rat skin. Type 1, 2 and 3 DMs showed faster onset time, 5 min, than lidocaine cream. Type 2 and 3 DMs showed stronger anti-idioplasmic activity than type 1 DMs. Pharmacokinetic study showed that tissue lidocaine levels, 62.8 ± 3.6 (type 1), 89.1 ± 9.9 (type 2) and 131.2 ± 10.2(type 3) μg/g wet weight at 5 min after the removal of DM were obtained higher than lidocaine cream, 26.2 ± 12.5 μg/g wet weight. Those results suggest the usefulness of type 2 DMs to obtain fast onset time for the local anesthesia in the skin.

Microarrays and microneedle arrays for delivery of peptides, proteins, vaccines and other applications

INTRODUCTION

Peptide and protein microarray and microneedle array technology provides direct information on protein function and potential drug targets in drug discovery and delivery. Because of this unique ability, these arrays are well suited for protein profiling, drug target identification/validation and studies of protein interaction, biochemical activity, immune responses, clinical prognosis and diagnosis and for gene, protein and drug delivery.

AREAS COVERED

The aim of this review is to describe and summarize past and recent developments of microarrays in their construction, characterization and production and applications of microneedles in drug delivery. The scope and limitations of various technologies in this respect are discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

This article offers a review of microarray/microneedle technologies and possible future directions in targeting and in the delivery of pharmacologically active compounds for unmet needs in biopharmaceutical research. A better understanding of the production and use of microarrays and microneedles for delivery of peptides, proteins and vaccines is needed.

Next generation intra- and transdermal therapeutic systems: using non- and minimally-invasive technologies to increase drug delivery into and across the skin

The number of drug molecules approved by the regulatory authorities for transdermal administration is relatively modest - less than two dozen. Many other therapies might benefit from the advantages offered by the transdermal route. That they have not already done so is due to the exceptional efficacy of the stratum corneum as a diffusional barrier and its remarkable ability to restrict molecular transport. As a result only extremely potent therapeutics possessing the necessary physicochemical properties can be delivered by passive diffusion across intact skin at pharmacologically relevent rates. This has led to the development of several delivery technologies that might be used to expand the range of medicinal agents that can be administered transdermally with the requisite delivery kinetics. There are essentially two approaches: (i) provide an improved driving force to increase the rate of transport (i.e., act on the molecule) or (ii) modify the properties of the microenvironment through which diffusion must occur (i.e., act on the stratum corneum). The challenge for the latter approach is to compromise the barrier in a reversible and relatively painless manner that minimises irritation, is practical for chronic conditions and has minimal risk of infection. Here, we review some of the physical methods that have been used to either transiently perturb the skin barrier or to provide additional driving forces to facilitate molecular transport with a particular focus on technologies that have either led to marketed products or have at least reached the clinical development stage.

Development of vertical SU-8 microtubes integrated with dissolvable tips for transdermal drug delivery

Polymer-based microneedles have drawn much attention in the transdermal drug delivery resulting from their flexibility and biocompatibility. Traditional fabrication approach deploys various kinds of molds to create sharp tips at the end of needles for the penetration purpose. This approach is usually time-consuming and expensive. In this study, we developed an innovative fabrication process to make biocompatible SU-8 microtubes integrated with biodissolvable maltose tips as novel microneedles for the transdermal drug delivery applications. These microneedles can easily penetrate the skin's outer barrier represented by the stratum corneum (SC) layer. The drug delivery device of mironeedles array with 1000 μm spacing between adjacent microneedles is proven to be able to penetrate porcine cadaver skins successfully. The maximum loading force on the individual microneedle can be as large as 7.36 ± 0.48N. After 9 min of the penetration, all the maltose tips are dissolved in the tissue. Drugs can be further delivered via these open biocompatible SU-8 microtubes in a continuous flow manner. The permeation patterns caused by the solution containing Rhodamine 110 at different depths from skin surface were characterized via a confocal microscope. It shows successful implementation of the microneedle function for fabricated devices.

Insulin therapies: Current and future trends at dawn

Insulin is a key player in the control of hyperglycemia for type 1 diabetes patients and selective individuals in patients of type 2 diabetes. Insulin delivery systems that are currently available for the administration of insulin include insulin syringes, insulin infusion pumps, jet injectors and pens. The traditional and most predictable method for the administration of insulin is by subcutaneous injections. The major drawback of current forms of insulin therapy is their invasive nature. To decrease the suffering, the use of supersonic injectors, infusion pumps, sharp needles and pens has been adopted. Such invasive and intensive techniques have spurred the search for alternative, more acceptable methods for administering insulin. Several non-invasive approaches for insulin delivery are being pursued. The newer methods explored include the artificial pancreas with closed-loop system, transdermal insulin, and buccal, oral and pulmonary routes. This review focuses on the new concepts that are being explored for use in future.

Microneedles for drug and vaccine delivery

Microneedles were first conceptualized for drug delivery many decades ago, but only became the subject of significant research starting in the mid-1990's when microfabrication technology enabled their manufacture as (i) solid microneedles for skin pretreatment to increase skin permeability, (ii) microneedles coated with drug that dissolves off in the skin, (iii) polymer microneedles that encapsulate drug and fully dissolve in the skin and (iv) hollow microneedles for drug infusion into the skin. As shown in more than 350 papers now published in the field, microneedles have been used to deliver a broad range of different low molecular weight drugs, biotherapeutics and vaccines, including published human studies with a number of small-molecule and protein drugs and vaccines. Influenza vaccination using a hollow microneedle is in widespread clinical use and a number of solid microneedle products are sold for cosmetic purposes. In addition to applications in the skin, microneedles have also been adapted for delivery of bioactives into the eye and into cells. Successful application of microneedles depends on device function that facilitates microneedle insertion and possible infusion into skin, skin recovery after microneedle removal, and drug stability during manufacturing, storage and delivery, and on patient outcomes, including lack of pain, skin irritation and skin infection, in addition to drug efficacy and safety. Building off a strong technology base and multiple demonstrations of successful drug delivery, microneedles are poised to advance further into clinical practice to enable better pharmaceutical therapies, vaccination and other applications.

Flux of ionic dyes across microneedle-treated skin: effect of molecular characteristics

Drug flux across microneedle (MN)-treated skin is influenced by the characteristics of the MN array, formed microconduits and physicochemical properties of the drug molecules in addition to the overall diffusional resistance of microconduits and viable tissue. Relative implication of these factors has not been fully explored. In the present study, the in vitro permeation of a series of six structurally related ionic xanthene dyes with different molecular weights (MW) and chemical substituents, across polymer MN-pretreated porcine skin was investigated in relation of their molecular characteristics. Dyes equilibrium solubility, partition coefficient in both n-octanol or porcine skin/aqueous system, and dissociation constants were determined. Results indicated that for rhodamine dyes, skin permeation of the zwitterionic form which predominates at physiological pH, was significantly reduced by an increase in MW, the skin thickness and by the presence of the chemically reactive isothiocyanate substituent. These factors were generally shown to override the aqueous solubility, an important determinant of drug diffusion in an aqueous milieu. The data obtained provided more insight into the mechanism of drug permeation across MN-treated skin, which is of importance to both the design of MN-based transdermal drug delivery systems and of relevance to skin permeation research.

Laser-engineered dissolving microneedles for active transdermal delivery of nadroparin calcium

There is an urgent need to replace the injection currently used for low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) multidose therapy with a non- or minimally invasive delivery approach. In this study, laser-engineered dissolving microneedle (DMN) arrays fabricated from aqueous blends of 15% w/w poly(methylvinylether-co-maleic anhydride) were used for the first time in active transdermal delivery of the LMWH nadroparin calcium (NC). Importantly, an array loading of 630IU of NC was achieved without compromising the array mechanical strength or drug bioactivity. Application of NC-DMNs to dermatomed human skin (DHS) using the single-step 'poke and release' approach allowed permeation of approximately 10.6% of the total NC load over a 48-h study period. The cumulative amount of NC that permeated DHS at 24h and 48h attained 12.28±4.23IU/cm(2) and 164.84±8.47IU/cm(2), respectively. Skin permeation of NC could be modulated by controlling the DMN array variables, such as MN length and array density as well as application force to meet various clinical requirements including adjustment for body mass and renal function. NC-loaded DMN offers great potential as a relatively low-cost functional delivery system for enhanced transdermal delivery of LMWH and other macromolecules.