Transdermal Delivery of Growth Factors by Mechanically Strengthened Polymer Microneedle Arrays

Growth factors are very important in regulating various cellular processes and can stimulate cellular growth, proliferation, and cellular differentiation. These growth factors are usually proteins, which can be broken down by digestive enzymes or denatured in stomach and therefore cannot be orally administered. Systematic administration by conventional injection often has problem as well because the growth factors have many effects which may be harmful to patients. Therefore, topical administration is desired, particularly for a certain range of applications such as improving wound healing and hair growth as well as reducing wrinkles and acne scars. However, growth factors often have high molecular weights and are not able to diffuse through skin with traditional transdermal patch application because of stratum corneum (the outmost layer of skin) barrier properties. In this project, we aim to use a novel type of mechanically strengthened polymer microneedle patches to achieve transdermal delivery of growth factors. Our approach will have many advantages such as convenience for use, well enhanced drug delivery efficiency and efficacy, and improved safety. In the project, these advantages will be demonstrated by using dissolvable polymer microneedle patches to deliver growth factors for improved wound healing in a mouse model.