メディエイゴ

A new vaccine-delivery(1) patch(2) based on hundreds of microscopic(3) needles that dissolve(4) into the skin could allow persons without medical training to painlessly(5) administer(6) vaccines -- while providing improved immunization(7) against diseases such as influenza(8).

Patches containing micron-scale(9) needles that carry vaccine with them as they dissolve into the skin could simplify(10) immunization programs by eliminating(11) the use of hypodermic needles(12) -- and their "sharps(13)" disposal(14) and re-use(15) concerns. Applied easily to the skin, the microneedle(16) patches could allow self-administration(17) of vaccine during pandemics(18) and simplify large-scale immunization programs in developing nations(19).

Details of the dissolving microneedle patches and immunization benefits observed in experimental(20) mice(21) were reported July 18 in the advance online publication(22) of the journal Nature Medicine. Conducted by researchers(23) from Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, the study is believed to be the first to evaluate(24) the immunization benefits of dissolving microneedles. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health(25) (NIH).

"In this study, we have shown that a dissolving microneedle patch can vaccinate(26) against influenza at least as well, and probably better than, a traditional hypodermic needle," says Mark Prausnitz, a professor in the Georgia Tech School of Chemical(27) and Biomolecular Engineering(28).

Just 650 microns(29) in length and assembled(30) into an array of(31) 100 needles for the mouse study, the dissolving microneedles penetrate(32) the outer layers(33) of skin. Beyond their other advantages, the dissolving microneedles appear to provide improved immunity(34) to influenza when compared to vaccination with hypodermic needles.