title: Remotely triggered release of small molecules from LaB6@SiO2-loaded polycaprolactone microneedles.
abstract: We established near-infrared (NIR)-light-triggered transdermal delivery systems by encapsulating NIR absorbers, silica-coated lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6@SiO2) nanostructures and the cargo molecule to be released in biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) microneedles. Acting as a local heat source when exposed to an NIR laser, these nanostructures cause a phase transition of the microneedles, thereby increasing the mobility of the polymer chains and triggering drug release from the microneedles. On IR thermal images, the light-triggered melting behavior of the LaB6@SiO2-loaded microneedles was observed. By adjusting the irradiation time and the laser on/off cycles, the amount of molecules released was controlled accurately. Drug release was switched on and off for at least three cycles, and a consistent dose was delivered in each cycle with high reproducibility. The designed microneedles were remotely triggered by laser irradiation for the controlled release of a chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin hydrochloride, in vivo. This system would enable dosages to be adjusted accurately to achieve a desired effect, feature a low off-state drug leakage to minimize basal effects and can increase the flexibility of pharmacotherapy performed to treat various medical conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Electronic address: kokola@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Mei-Chin
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuan-Wen
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Dong-Hwang
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Hung
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Ying
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001896:Boron Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D007259:Infrared Rays; D007811:Lanthanum / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D009339:Needles; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D001896:Boron Compounds; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D007811:Lanthanum; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D004317:Doxorubicin
keywords: Controlled release; Near-infrared light; On-demand; Stimuli-responsive; Transdermal drug delivery