Double-layered microneedle patch for melanoma chemo/photothermal co‑therapy and wound healing

Melanoma is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Surgical excision, the standard treatment, often results in incomplete removal and recurrence. A double-layered microneedle patch was developed for chemo-photothermal treatment of melanoma. The patch, based on zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (SBMA), includes a slow-degrading hair particles/curcumin (HMP/Cur) layer and a fast-dissolving ZIF-8/doxorubicin/ Panax notoginseng polysaccharide (ZIF-8@DOX/PNPS) layer, with an asiaticoside/ HMP (AS-HMP) substrate. Prepared via a three-step casting process, the microneedles exhibit excellent photothermal properties and tumor synergism under near-infrared (NIR) light. Upon skin insertion, the fast-dissolving layer releases ZIF-8@DOX within 5 min, which then releases DOX in the tumor's acidic environment. The HMP/Cur layer heats to 56.52 °C within 60 s under NIR, aiding in tumor elimination. In addition, the AS-HMP layer covers the wound and promotes tissue regeneration and collagen deposition, enhancing skin regeneration. The double-layered microneedles platform can simultaneously eliminate the tumor and accelerate wounding healing, making it a promising for clinical melanoma therapy.