GELATIN METHACRYLOYL-BASED MICRONEEDLE PATCHES FOR DELIVERY OF WATER-INSOLUBLE DRUGS

摘要

A patch incorporates biodegradable microneedles (MNs) that are fabricated from naturally derived polymer conjugates of gelatin methacryloyl and β-cyclodextrin (GelMA-β-CD). When curcumin, an unstable and water-insoluble anticancer therapeutic agent, is loaded as an example, its stability and solubility are improved due to the formation of inclusion complex. The polymer-drug complex GelMA- β-CD/CUR can be formulated into MN arrays with sufficient mechanical strength for skin penetration and tunable drug release profile. Anticancer efficacy of released curcumin is observed in three-dimensional (3D) B16F10 melanoma models. The GelMA-β-CD/CUR MN exhibits relatively higher therapeutic efficacy through more localized and deeper penetrated manner compared with a control non-transdermal patch. In vivo studies verify biocompatibility and degradability of the GelMA-β-CD MN-based patch. Other water-insoluble therapeutic agents may be loaded into the patch.