Research progress of microneedles in the treatment of melanoma

Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy deriving from melanocytes, which is characterized by high tendency of metastases and mortality rate. Current therapies for melanoma, like chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy, have the problem of systemic exposure of drugs, which will lead to many side effects and premature degradation of drugs. The resulting low drug accumulation at the lesion limits the therapeutic effect on melanoma and makes the cure rate low. As an emerging drug delivery system, microneedles (MNs) can efficiently deliver drugs through the skin, increase the drug distribution in deeper tumor sites and minimize the leakage of therapeutic drugs into adjacent tissues, thus improving the therapeutic effect. In addition, compared with traditional drug delivery methods, MN-based drug delivery system has the advantages of simplicity, safety and little pain. So MNs can be developed for the treatment of melanoma, which can relieve the pain of patients and improve the survival rate. This review aims to introduce an update on the progress of MNs as an innovative strategy for melanoma, especially when MNs combining with different therapies against melanoma, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT) and synergic therapy.