At North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers have created patches layered with microneedles to deliver cancer immunotherapy right into the skin where melanoma has been detected. The patches deliver anti-PD-1 antibodies that prevent the cancer from confusing T cells into ignoring the tumor. Previously, the antibodies have been tried through injections, but not enough reach the cancer cells while potentially causing side effects throughout the body. The antibodies are placed within nanoparticles which are then loaded within the microneedles along with glucose oxidase. When the patches are applied to cancer sites, the blood enters the needles, the glucose reacts with glucose oxidase producing acid that breaks up the nanoparticles. This allows anti-PD-1 to be released in a controlled manner right into the tumor.
The researchers have already tested the patches on mice with melanoma, showing that the patches worked better than injecting anti-PD-1 directly into the blood stream.
Study in NANO Letters: Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy by Microneedle Patch-Assisted Delivery of Anti-PD1 Antibody…