Dissolving microneedles containing aminolevulinic acid improves protoporphyrinIXdistribution

Author(s)

Requena, Michelle Barreto ^[1] ; Permana, Andi Dian ^{[2, 3]} ; Vollet-Filho, Jose Dirceu ^[1] ; Gonzalez-Vazquez, Patricia ^[2] ; Garcia, Marlon Rodrigues ^[4] ; Goncalves De Faria, Clara Maria ^[1] ; Pratavieira, Sebastiao ^[1] ; Donnelly, Ryan F. ^[2] ; Bagnato, Vanderlei Salvador ^{[5, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Inst Phys, Av Trabalhador Sao Carlense 400, POB 369, BR-13560970 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Queens Univ Belfast, Sch Pharm, Belfast, Antrim - North Ireland

^[3] Hasanuddin Univ, Fac Pharm, Dept Pharmaceut, Makassar - Indonesia

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Mech Engn, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[5] Texas A&M Univ, Hagler Inst Adv Studies, College Stn, TX - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Biophotonics; v. 14, n. 1 JAN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

One important limitation of topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the limited tissue penetration of precursors. Microneedles (MNs) are minimally invasive devices used to promote intradermal drug delivery. Dissolving MNs contain drug-associated to polymer blends, dissolving after insertion into skin, allowing drug release. This study comprises development and characterization of a pyramidal model of dissolving MNs (500 mu m) prepared with 5% wt/wt aminolevulinic acid and 20% wt/wt Gantrez AN-139 in aqueous blend. Protoporphyrin IX formation and distribution were evaluated in tumor mice model by using fluorescence widefield imaging, spectroscopy, and confocal microscopy. MNs demonstrated excellent mechanical resistance penetrating about 250 mu m with minor size alteration in vitro, and fluorescence intensity was 5-times higher at 0.5 mm on average compared to cream in vivo (being 10 +/- 5 a.u. for MNs and 2.4 +/- 0.8 a.u. for cream). Dissolving MNs have overcome topical cream application, being extremely promising especially for thicker skin lesions treatment using PDT. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50857-8 - National Institute in Basic Optics and Applied to Life Sciences
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/54035-4 - Facility for advanced studies of biosystems and nanostructured materials
• Grantee: Igor Polikarpov
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC