Minimally invasive and targeted therapeutic cell delivery to the skin using microneedle devices

Summary Background Translation of cell therapies to the clinic is accompanied by numerous challenges, including controlled and targeted delivery of the cells to their site of action, without compromising cell viability and functionality. Objectives To explore the use of hollow microneedle devices (to date only used for the delivery of drugs and vaccines into the skin and for the extraction of biological fluids) to deliver cells into skin in a minimally invasive, user‐friendly and targeted fashion. Methods Melanocyte, keratinocyte and mixed epidermal cell suspensions were passed through various types of microneedles and subsequently delivered into the skin. Results Cell viability and functionality are maintained after injection through hollow microneedles with a bore size ≥ 75 μm. Healthy cells are delivered into the skin at clinically relevant depths. Conclusions Hollow microneedles provide an innovative and minimally invasive method for delivering functional cells into the skin. Microneedle cell delivery represents a potential new treatment option for cell therapy approaches including skin repigmentation, wound repair, scar and burn remodelling, immune therapies and cancer vaccines. What's already known about this topic? Cutaneous cell therapy is currently perceived as a promising new way of treating skin damage, depigmentation and genetic disorders, and has many possible cosmetic applications. What does this study add? In this study we explore, for the first time, the potential of microneedle delivery systems as a novel, minimally invasive delivery tool for facilitating cell therapy in skin. What is the translational message? A microneedle delivery platform would offer a less invasive, more controlled and targeted system for the delivery of cell therapy to skin and is thus likely to be welcomed by patients, clinicians and regulatory bodies. Linked Comment: Boniface et al. Br J Dermatol 2018; 178:588–589 Respond to this article