Icy Microneedle Patch Delivers Cell Therapy, Then Melts

[Judi Lynn]

It puts a cool new twist on a growing trend in drug delivery.
By KRISTIN HOUSER Published 21 minutes ago

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) scientists have created a new microneedle patch to deliver cell therapies — but rather than using traditional materials for their needles, they used ice.


The challenge: Cell therapies use living cells to treat medical conditions. Stem cell transplants are a form of cell therapy, as are some types of cancer immunotherapy.

These cells are typically transplanted into the patient via an implant, injection, or surgical graft. Not only can those delivery methods be painful and invasive, they also carry a risk of infection and must be administered by an experienced professional.

That limits the use of cell therapy to people who are willing to subject themselves to the transplantation process and who also have access to professionals capable of administering them.

Ice, ice baby: Microneedle patches are a growing trend in drug delivery. They're usually about the size of a postage stamp and are covered in tiny needles made of biodegradable substances packed with drugs.

More:
https://www.freethink.com/articles/microneedle-patch

[littlemissmartypants]

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