Chessboard Microneedle Array for Inflammation Regulation via Spatiotemporally Controlled Drug Delivery

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species during photodynamic therapy (PDT) can exacerbate inflammation at the infection site and increase the risk of tumor metastasis, thereby posing significant challenges to treatment efficacy. In this study, a chessboard-structured microneedle patch (HPC@PCN CMN) was designed using a micromolding technique. This design spatially separates and encapsulates photosensitizers and antioxidants within distinct fast- and sustained-release microneedle systems, respectively, thereby achieving spatiotemporally ordered control of PDT and anti-inflammatory treatment. Additionally, by adjusting the crosslinking degree of hyaluronic acid, the release rate of antioxidant drugs can be regulated, which facilitates a prolonged anti-inflammatory effect. The results indicate that the anti-inflammatory process of HPC@PCN CMN can alleviate inflammation by inhibiting the ATP-P2RX4 pathway, demonstrating promising efficacy in the treatment of acne and melanoma. Overall, the developed chessboard microneedle platform is programmable, enabling not only the sequential regulation of oxidation-antioxidation but also the potential for broader applications in drug-delivery scenarios.