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The use of biodegradable microneedle patches to increase penetration of topical steroid for prurigo nodularis

  • Therapy
  • Published:
European Journal of Dermatology

Abstract

Background

The stratum corneum is an almost impermeable barrier. Recently, microneedles have been used to increase drug delivery passing the stratum corneum by incorporating the drug within the microneedle or by coating the surface of the microneedle with the drug.

Objective

This study was performed to investigate whether applying a biodegradable microneedle patch after topical steroid application increases penetration of the steroid in vitro, as well as treatment efficacy in patients with prurigo nodularis.

Materials & methods

In vitro penetration of topical steroids after biodegradable microneedle patch application was measured using a 3D skin model. To evaluate the treatment efficacy of the combination of biodegradable microneedle and topical steroids, a split-body clinical study was performed.

Results

Penetration of topical steroid in the in vitro skin model was significantly greater in the microneedle-applied skin. In a split-body clinical study with prurigo nodularis patients, the area and height of skin lesions decreased after four weeks of treatment on both sides, however, the microneedle patch side exhibited a significantly greater decrease in both area and height, compared to the control side. The pruritus visual analogue scale was also significantly lower on the microneedle side.

Conclusion

We suggest that simply applying a microneedle patch after topical steroid application could be a useful strategy for treating refractory skin diseases such as prurigo nodularis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Severance Hospital, Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Jung U. Shin, Hong Kyu Kang, Ju Hee Lee, Howard Chu, Jung Soo Lee, Hemin Lee & Kwang Hoon Lee

  2. Raphas Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea

    Jung Dong Kim, Hong Kee Kim & Do Hyeon Jeong

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

    Chulmin Joo & Seungri Song

  4. Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Kwang Hoon Lee

Authors
  1. Jung U. Shin
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  2. Jung Dong Kim
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  3. Hong Kee Kim
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  4. Hong Kyu Kang
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  5. Chulmin Joo
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  6. Ju Hee Lee
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  9. Howard Chu
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  10. Jung Soo Lee
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  11. Hemin Lee
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  12. Kwang Hoon Lee
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kwang Hoon Lee.

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Shin, J.U., Kim, J.D., Kim, H.K. et al. The use of biodegradable microneedle patches to increase penetration of topical steroid for prurigo nodularis. Eur J Dermatol 28, 71–77 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2017.3164

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2017.3164

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