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Dissolvable 3D-printed patch aims to improve skin cancer treatment

Researchers at Queen University Belfast developed a dissolvable 3D-printed microneedle patch delivering curcumin and 5-fluorouracil to treat localized skin cancer. The penny-sized patch penetrates skin without drawing blood, aiming to replace repeated topical treatments and painful injections.
Professor Dimitrios A Lamprou, Chair of Biofabrication and Advanced Manufacturing at Queen's School of Pharmacy, noted that skin cancer treatment often requires repeated applications causing discomfort. Many patients experience fear and inconvenience with needles, driving development of this targeted delivery system.
Rutuja N Meshram, a final-year PhD student, and Professor Lamprou developed a one-step 3D-printing method blending anti-cancer drugs directly into resin. This technique enables higher drug loading and controlled two-stage release, allowing better skin penetration.
Minimally invasive microneedles dissolve after application, reducing medical sharps waste and needle-stick injury risk. This patient-friendly approach simplifies cancer medicine delivery while addressing inconvenience associated with repeated clinical procedures.
Published in Advanced Healthcare Materials and supported by the Joint Commissioner, Education Branch, Social Welfare in Maharashtra, India, researchers believe this 3D-printing technique could support next-generation medicine delivery, including vaccines and life-saving drugs.

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