Multi-Technology Empowers Dissolving Microneedles: A Novel Strategy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease associated with chronic inflammation. Current clinical management is confronted with multiple challenges, such as suboptimal drug bioavailability, insufficient joint targeting, and poor patient compliance, which critically limit therapeutic efficacy. Dissolving microneedles (DMNs) can overcome the limitations of traditional treatments through minimally invasive transdermal delivery, improve efficacy and reduce toxicity and side effects, offering an innovative solution for RA treatment. This article reviews the advantages of DMNs for RA, analyzes the advantages and limitations of their preparation methods, the physicochemical properties of DMN matrix materials and the application progress in RA treatment. The synergistic strategies of DMNs with nano-delivery systems, cell membrane bionics, stimulus response delivery systems and phototherapy are further discussed. This multi-technology integration solution solves the problems of poor targeting, low bioavailability, high toxic side effects, and poor patient compliance in RA treatment through the advantages of physical targeting, intelligent controlled release and portable drug delivery. Finally, combined with the patent landscape and clinical research progress, the existing challenges and future development prospects of DMNs in RA treatment are analyzed, hoping to provide theoretical basis and technical breakthrough direction for RA treatment.