Paper battery powered iontophoresis microneedles patch for hypertrophic scar treatment.
Summary
A paper battery-powered microneedle iontophoresis patch delivered 90.19% of drug into hypertrophic scar tissue in vitro and reduced TGF-β1 and collagen I expression, indicating antifibrotic potential. The wearable, self-administered platform addresses pain and heterogenous delivery issues of intralesional steroids.
Key Findings
- Achieved 90.19% active drug delivery into hypertrophic scar tissue using microneedles plus iontophoresis.
- Significantly reduced TGF-β1 and collagen I mRNA and protein expression associated with scar formation.
- Wearable paper battery integration enabled a self-administered, compact iontophoresis system.
Clinical Implications
If safety and efficacy are confirmed in humans, this platform could reduce dependence on painful intralesional injections, enable at-home therapy, and standardize dosing to improve outcomes in hypertrophic scar remodeling.
Why It Matters
Introduces an integrated, low-power wearable platform that combines microneedles and iontophoresis for targeted scar therapy, potentially changing HS management. Demonstrates mechanistic biomarker modulation alongside high delivery efficiency.
Limitations
- No human clinical trial data; efficacy demonstrated in vitro/preclinical models only.
- Long-term safety, dosing schedules, and real-world usability were not assessed.
Future Directions
Conduct controlled clinical studies to evaluate safety, pain reduction, dosing regimens, and scar remodeling outcomes; optimize drug payloads and release profiles for different scar phenotypes.
Study Information
- Study Type
- Case series
- Research Domain
- Treatment
- Evidence Level
- V - Preclinical experimental evidence without human clinical outcomes
- Study Design
- OTHER