Stretchable and Microneedle-Integrated Electronic Patches with Actively Controlled Chemothermal Therapy for Cancer Treatment

Stretchable electronics offer a promising body-integrated platform for next-generation biomedical devices. However, a significant barrier to their therapeutic efficacy lies in the absence of an efficient transdermal delivery modality. This study presents a stretchable electronic patch equipped with porous microneedles, specifically designed for the wearable treatment of cancer. This electronic patch incorporates an MXene heater that maintains stable temperatures when subjected to tensile deformations. Additionally, a textile dressing component utilizes embedded phase change carriers that enable the on-demand release of anticancer medications through electrothermal activation. The porous microneedles, produced via 3D printing, are engineered to effectively penetrate the epidermis, thereby facilitating successful drug delivery. Complementing these features are a flexible circuit and a compact battery, which together form an untethered wearable system capable of executing remote treatment commands from a smartphone. The combination of chemothermal therapy through electronic control has demonstrated substantial efficacy in inhibiting the growth of subcutaneous tumors. These advancements underscore the substantial potential of stretchable electronics for personalized wearable therapies that permit uninterrupted daily activities.