ABSTRACT
Introduction
Microneedles are emerging as a promising technology for vaccine delivery, with numerous advantages over traditional needle and syringe methods. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of MAPs in inducing robust immune responses over traditional needle and syringe methods, with extensive studies using vaccines targeted against different pathogens in various animal models. Critically, the clinical trials have demonstrated safety, immunogenicity, and patient acceptance for MAP-based vaccines against influenza, measles, rubella, and SARS-CoV-2.
Areas covered
This review provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of microarray patches (MAPs) and analyses of their applications in preclinical and clinical vaccine delivery settings. This review also covers additional considerations for microneedle-based vaccination, including adjuvants that are compatible with MAPs, patient safety and factors for global vaccination campaigns.
Expert opinion
MAP vaccine delivery can potentially be a game-changer for vaccine distribution and coverage in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries. For MAPs to reach this full potential, many critical hurdles must be overcome, such as large-scale production, regulatory compliance, and adoption by global health authorities. However, given the considerable strides made in recent years by MAP developers, it may be possible to see the first MAP-based vaccines in use within the next 5 years.
Article highlights
Comprehensive overview of the five different types of MAPs: solid, coated, dissolving, hollow and hydrogel-forming microneedles
Summary of pre-clinical conducted using the five different types of MAPs for vaccine delivery
Summary of clinical trials (completed or in-progress) for MAP-based vaccine delivery
Additional considerations that are required for MAP-based vaccine delivery
Decflaration of Interest
DA Muller and PR Young are consultants of the HD-MAP development company Vaxxas Pty Ltd. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or material discussed in the manuscript apart rom those disclosed.
Reviewer disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.
Author contributions
All authors have contributed to the conceptualization and design of the review. All authors were also involved in the writing and review of the presented manuscript.