Cancer theranostics employing microneedles: Experimental and patented strategies

Owing to the challenges associated with the use of invasive injections and biopsy screening techniques, microneedle arrays have recently attracted a lot of consideration as portals for cancer detection and therapy. It is a synergistic mix of a transdermal patch and hypodermic needles, which allows a drug to be administered directly to the tumor site through the microchannels after piercing the stratum corneum of the skin. Based on body weight, tumor dimension, and the drug's circulation duration in the biological milieu, microneedle arrays have the capability to deliver chemotherapeutics in a reasonably effective and non-invasive fashion. Additionally, the concomitant loading of numerous pharmaceuticals and the ability for regulated release facilitated by microneedles could efficiently optimize or avert drug-drug interactions, thereby leading to an improvement in the quality of life of patients. Microneedle-based anti-cancer drug delivery systems are gaining the attention of researchers in the detection and treatment of an array of cancer types. The rapid and pertinent tumor detection made possible by MNs paves the way for promoting the development and usage of microneedles for treating cancers. However, the said platform is also appended with numerous safety concerns which need to be addressed prior to its clinical applicability. This review elaborates upon the utilization of microneedles for the diagnosis and treatment of a plethora of cancers, such as breast, skin, prostate, and oral. Current issues and potential outcomes for the use of microneedle systems in the diagnosis and treatment of an array of cancers are addressed. The review also offers a brief summary of some relevant patents for new technologies that can be used to diagnose and treat cancer.