Microneedle Integrated Responsive Approach for Cancer Localized Treatment Execution during Plasmonic Photothermal Multimodal Therapy

Cancer remains a critical global health challenge, with millions of new cases and deaths reported annually. Traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy often fall short, causing systemic toxicity, severe side effects, and cancer recurrence, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. The MIRACLE project aims to revolutionize cancer treatment by developing an innovative microneedle (MN) patch for localized, multimodal cancer therapy. Herein, the multimodal therapy integrates plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT), where nanoparticles (NPs) are selectively heated by near-infrared (NIR) radiation to destroy cancer cells, with photodynamic therapy (PDT), which generates reactive oxygen species and chemotherapy involving NIR radiation-triggered drug release to enhance treatment efficacy. However, challenges like limited accumulation of agents at tumor sites, unwanted distribution in healthy organs, and leakage during delivery limit clinical translation. The MIRACLE project will address these challenges by developing a NIR-responsive MN patch integrated with PPTT-assisted multimodal cancer therapy specifically designed for treating superficial cancers like melanoma. These MN patches, with micron-sized needles, painlessly penetrate the skins outer layer to deliver therapeutic agents directly to the tumor, ensuring localized delivery and release. Upon skin insertion and NIR irradiation, the MN patch will deliver NPs (for PPTT), a photosensitizer (for PDT), and a chemotherapeutic drug, concentrating treatment at the tumor, reducing systemic exposure and minimizing side effects. The project will validate the MN patch through in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies. MIRACLE project aligns with the EU Mission: Cancers goals of advancing cancer treatment by developing innovative MN patch for localized multimodal cancer therapy and improving patients quality of life via a minimally invasive, patient-compliant approach with fewer side effects.