315eP Pre-clinical feasibility and translational challenges of cytokine-loaded dissolvable microneedles for cutaneous immunotherapy

Cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-10 are central to tumour immune regulation, but systemic delivery is limited by short half-life and toxicity. Cutaneous malignancies such as melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma represent attractive targets for local immunotherapy. Dissolvable microneedles (MNs) could provide minimally invasive intradermal immunotherapy in cutaneous malignancies by enhancing immune activation while reducing systemic exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and stability of cytokine incorporation into dissolvable MNs as a potential immuno-oncology drug delivery strategy.