Microneedle-Based Drug Delivery: Revolutionizing Transdermal Therapeutics for Painless and Precise Administration

Abstract

Microneedle-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a transformative platform in transdermal therapeutics, offering a minimally invasive, painless, and highly targeted alternative to conventional drug administration routes. These systems consist of micron-scale needles that can penetrate the stratum corneum without reaching pain receptors, enabling efficient delivery of a wide range of therapeutic agents—including small molecules, proteins, peptides, and vaccines—directly into the dermis. Various types of microneedles, such as solid, coated, dissolvable, and hollow designs, have been engineered using biocompatible and biodegradable materials to suit specific clinical applications. Microneedles not only improve patient compliance but also bypass hepatic first-pass metabolism and allow self-administration. Recent advancements have shown significant promise in applications such as insulin delivery, vaccine immunization, and cancer therapy. Despite their potential, challenges remain in terms of large-scale manufacturing, regulatory approval, and long-term skin safety. This review highlights the current progress, design strategies, clinical applications, and future prospects of microneedle-based drug delivery systems in revolutionizing patient-centric transdermal therapy.