Mohith Kumar Sathish Kumar, “3D Printing Polymeric Microneedles to Cure Melanoma Skin Cancer”
Mentor: Qingsu Cheng, Biomedical Engineering
Poster #174

Microneedles are small, minimally invasive devices used to deliver targeted drugs, such as cancer therapies. When used to treat melanoma skin cancer, the deadliest type of skin cancer characterized by uncontrolled melanocyte proliferation, microneedles can deliver chemotherapy or immunotherapy medications directly to the tumor site, potentially increasing treatment efficacy while reducing systemic side effects. The good stratum corneum (SC) is the skin’s outermost layer, made up of dead, flattened cells that act as a protective barrier, preventing most genes and medications from penetrating the epidermis and reaching tumor tissues, significantly limiting the effectiveness of skin cancer treatment. As of April 2023, melanoma skin cancer is responsible for approximately 60,000 deaths worldwide, and its side effects, such as pain, lymphedema, and psychological effects, have a significant impact on survivors. As of now, our research has revealed that polymeric microneedles provide precise, minimally invasive administration of medicines directly to melanoma sites, decreasing systemic adverse effects and potentially improving treatment effectiveness. PMMA polymer is biocompatible, easily moldable, and has adequate mechanical strength, making it excellent for creating long-lasting, efficient microneedles. The average depth of the deepest melanocyte in the basal layer of the follicular epithelium was 0.38 ± 0.04 mm (0–1.5 mm) The confluence of melanocytes in the follicular epithelium was severe in 0%, moderate in 18.0%, mild in 53.0%, and absent in 29.0% of the patients so, we concluded that by 3-D Printing microneedles using lithography with a height of 0.5 mm, a radius of 0.01 mm, and a distance between each microneedle of 0.01 mm, we could optimize the tip-to-tip distance of 0.03 mm, which is the distance between each melanoma cell. With this characterization and medication, we could eliminate almost all the cancer cells.