3D-Printed Microneedle Patch for the Treatment of Melanoma via Synergistic Chemotherapy and Photothermal Therapy

Melanoma is a malignant type of skin cancer that originates from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Alongside its aggressive trajectory, it is characterized by metastasis. The lack of targeting ability and high toxicity in traditional chemotherapy, along with issues such as the dermal barrier and patient compliance, necessitate local and synergistic treatment approaches. Patches that are part of transdermal drug delivery systems and use hydrogel microneedles to deliver drugs noninvasively, locally, and synergistically, are a recently emerging treatment alternative. In this study, we designed a microneedle patch composed of microneedles produced by 3D digital light processing, which were made of sodium alginate and GelMA. The GelMA support base contained an anticancer drug (5-FU) and graphene oxide quantum dots dispersed in a polyvinylpyrrolidone matrix. Quantum dots conferred photothermal activity under near-infrared (808 nm) light, whereas 5-FU provided the chemotherapy effect. The microneedle had a height of 917.6 ± 47 μm, tip radius of 26.9 ± 0.4 μm, 5-FU burst release of 63 ± 0.665% within the first hour, and 100% release within 96 h. It exhibited photothermal properties, reaching 46.3 °C within 5 min under the effect of NIR. The patch substantially reduced the viability of cancerous A375 cells, exhibiting suitable mechanical properties for skin penetration, as well as swelling and degradation properties for drug release. The findings suggest that the minimally invasive microneedle platform, which enhances patient compliance, could be a promising solution for melanoma treatment through the synergistic use of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy.