2026-09-18 テキサスA&M大学
Biomedical researchers at Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering and the University of São Paulo have developed dissolvable microneedles, each only a few times wider than a human hair, that can deliver therapeutic drugs and redistribute light beneath the skin, offering a practically painless, scar-free alternative to invasive surgery and a new path to treating skin cancer and other light-responsive conditions. Credit: Dr. Michelle Requena/Texas A&M University College of Engineering.
＜関連情報＞
- https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2026/09/18/dissolvable-microscopic-needles-light-the-way-for-cancer-treatments/
- https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/journal-of-biomedical-optics/volume-31/issue-05/058001/Composing-drug-delivery-with-light-distribution-improvement–the-use/10.1117/1.JBO.31.5.058001.full
光分布改善による薬剤送達の構成：光線力学療法を用いた皮膚がん治療における溶解性マイクロニードルの使用 Composing drug delivery with light distribution improvement: the use of dissolving microneedles in skin cancer with photodynamic therapy
Michelle B. Requena, Cynthia E. Anderson, Dianeth S. Lima Bejar, Vladislav V. Yakovlev, Vanderlei S. Bagnato
Journal of Biomedical Optica Published:9 May 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.31.5.058001
Abstract
Significance
Dissolving microneedles (MN) have emerged as a promising platform for drug delivery, providing a minimally invasive approach to bypass the skin’s natural barriers and enhance molecular penetration and diffusion. Their biocompatibility, user-friendly application, and ability to deliver precise therapeutic dosing make them particularly suitable for dermatological use. In addition to pharmacological benefits, dissolving MN possesses a geometric structure that enables optical waveguiding, thereby improving light penetration and distribution.
Aim
We address a key limitation of photodynamic therapy (PDT): the limited penetration of light into biological tissues. PDT relies on activating photosensitizing agents with specific wavelengths of light to generate cytotoxic species, selectively targeting abnormal or diseased cells while minimizing effects on surrounding healthy tissue.
Approach
Pyramidal dissolving MN arrays were fabricated from a biocompatible polymer and systematically characterized. Their light distribution profile under laser illumination was evaluated using image analysis.
Results
Quantitative analysis of light distribution demonstrates that MN can simultaneously facilitate drug delivery and light distribution.
Conclusions
This multifunctionality provides a synergistic therapeutic advantage, as localized drug release is complemented by optimized light delivery, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes. The dual-function platform has significant implications for PDT, enabling the design of integrated therapeutic systems that combine chemical and photonic modalities within a single, biodegradable device. Such systems may be particularly advantageous in resource-limited settings or outpatient care, where ease of use and effectiveness are essential. This strategy offers an approach to overcoming the limitations of conventional light-based therapies, supporting the development of more effective and accessible treatments for skin cancer and other dermatological conditions.
