Since the first patent for microneedles was filed in the 1970s, research on utilising microneedles as a drug delivery system has progressed significantly. In addition to the extensive research on microneedles for improving transdermal drug delivery, there is a growing interest in using these devices to manage dermatological conditions. This review aims to provide the background on microneedles, the clinical benefits, and challenges of the device along with the potential dermatological conditions that may benefit from the application of such a drug delivery system. The first part of the review provides an outline on benefits and challenges of translating microneedle-based drug delivery systems into clinical practice. The second part of the review covers the application of microneedles in treating dermatological conditions. The efficacy of microneedles along with the limitations of such a strategy to treat diseased skin shall be addressed.
Potent, selective antitumour AhR ligands 5F 203 and GW 610 are bioactivated by CYPs 1A1 and 2W1. Herein we reason that DNA adducts' generation resulting in lethal DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) underlies benzothiazoles' activity. Treatment of sensitive carcinoma cell lines with GW 610 generated co-eluting DNA adducts (R(2)>0.7). Time-dependent appearance of γ-H2AX foci revealed subsequent DNA double strand breaks. Propensity for systemic toxicity of benzothiazoles steered development of prodrugs' hydrogels for localised delivery. Clinical applications of targeted therapies include prevention or treatment of recurrent disease after surgical resection of solid tumours. In vitro evaluation of 5F 203 prodrugs' activity demonstrated nanomolar potency against MCF-7 breast and IGROV-1 ovarian carcinoma cell lines.