Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast have developed a dissolvable 3D printed microneedle patch that delivers two anti-cancer drugs into the skin at the site of a tumor, offering an alternative to the repeated topical applications and invasive procedures used in current skin cancer treatment.

The patch carries curcumin and 5-fluorouracil on microneedles fine enough to pass through the outer layer of the skin without drawing blood, then dissolves after application.

The team printed the needles in a single step, mixing both drugs into the printable resin rather than coating them onto pre-made microneedles. Results of the research study indicated improved skin penetration, raised the drug load each patch could carry and produced a controlled two-stage release that could be matched to an individual patient.

“Skin cancer is a major public health concern, and current treatments often require repeated topical applications, invasive procedures, or can cause unwanted side effects. Many people also experience fear, discomfort, or inconvenience when treatments involve needles and injections,” said Dimitrios A. Lamprou, Chair of Biofabrication and Advanced Manufacturing at Queen’s University Belfast.

“Minimally invasive microneedle systems that dissolve after application could provide a more patient-friendly, simpler and less painful way to deliver cancer medicines. Because the microneedles dissolve after use, they may also help reduce the risk of needle-stick injuries and decrease medical sharps waste.”

“Advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing are helping reshape the future of medicine by enabling more precise drug delivery and supporting personalized, patient-friendly healthcare,” said Rutuja N. Meshram, First Author of the study and Final Year PhD Student in the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast.

“Our findings point to a future where medicines and vaccines can be delivered in ways that are less painful, easier to use, and more acceptable to patients than traditional injections. In time, this research could support the development of more personalized treatments and safer, more accessible healthcare technologies.”