Scientists develop 3D-printed microneedle patch for melanoma treatment

Scientists from three Istanbul-based universities have developed a 3D-printed microneedle patch designed to treat melanoma, one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer. The research was conducted through SABİOTEK, a center established in 2022 through a partnership between Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ), Marmara University, and Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (İÜC).

The system utilizes 3D bioprinting technology to create hydrogel-based microneedles that combine chemotherapy with photothermal therapy on a single platform. This dual approach aims to deliver chemotherapeutic agents directly to the target area for controlled release, while the photothermal component converts light energy into heat to create a localized temperature increase at the tumor site.

By integrating these two mechanisms, researchers aim to increase local treatment efficacy and reduce systemic side effects caused by chemotherapy spreading to other parts of the body. Laboratory studies on cancer cells have been completed, and the next phase of the research will involve preclinical studies. The project is supported by TÜBİTAK and the Turkish Institutes of Health (TÜSEB), led by Prof. Dr. Cem Bülent Üstündağ.