Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42305783›Full record

ReviewBurns & trauma2026

Advances in microneedle design for the delivery of drugs, proteins, and cells in the treatment of hypertrophic scars.

Juntong Guo, Qinghan Tang, Zhengping Ge, Qing Xia, Hanmei Liu, Huaikai Shi, Jinlong Huang, Jun Chen, Mark S Cooper, Xin Yan and 2 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Burns & trauma, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Juntong GuoSchool of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
Qinghan TangDepartment of Pharmacy, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine, 157 Daming Road, Nanjing 210022, Jiangsu, China.
Zhengping GeSchool of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
Qing XiaSchool of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
Hanmei LiuAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing 210000, PR China.
Huaikai ShiAsbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute, Concord Hospital, Gate 3 Hospital Road, Sydney, NSW 2138, Australia.
Jinlong HuangAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing 210000, PR China.
Jun ChenSchool of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
Mark S CooperAdrenal Steroid Group, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord Hospital, The University of Sydney, Gate 3, Hospital Road, Sydney, NSW 2137, Australia.
Xin YanDepartment of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 21000, PR China.
Chenxi YangJiangsu Provincial Engineering Research Center of TCM External Medication Development and Application, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
Yiwei WangSchool of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, PR China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6585-6641

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Hypertrophic scars (HS) represent a significant clinical challenge due to their complex pathophysiology and resistance to conventional therapies, often resulting in persistent symptoms such as itching, pain, and impaired joint mobility that compromise patients' quality of life. Current treatment modalities, including compression therapy, pharmacological agents, radiation, silicone gel, and laser therapies, have faced limitations primarily due to inadequate drug penetration into the dense fibrotic scar tissue. In this context, microneedle-mediated controlled delivery systems have emerged as a promising pharmaceutical platform to enhance localized and sustained delivery of therapeutic agents, including small-molecule drugs, biologic proteins, small interfering RNA, and living cells, directly into HS. This article critically reviews the biological and formulation-related challenges associated with transdermal delivery in scar tissue and highlights recent innovations in microneedle design, material selection, and drug-loading techniques tailored for controlled release applications. Furthermore, it discusses the integration of proteins and cell-based therapies within microneedle platforms and their potential to modulate scar remodeling and inflammation. By addressing current limitations and exploring cutting-edge technologies, this review article aims to guide the development of effective microneedle-mediated strategies for pharmaceutical intervention in hypertrophic scar management.

Indexed as

Drug delivery systemHypertrophic scarMicroneedleWound healing

Identifiers

PMID42305783
PMCPMC13267905

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.