Team 30

Development of a Microneedle Drug Delivery System for Treatment of Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma

Team Members: Maren Eltze, Rachel Fisher, Anshul Krishnan, & Jinpyo Seo

Team Mentors: Brent Vernon, Ph.D - SBHSE
Chandrashekhar P. Pathak, Ph.D - ASU
Laura A. Hansen, Ph.D - Creighton University School of Medicine
Jerold L. Powers, M.D - HonorHealth
Yul Yang, M.D., Ph.D - Mayo Clinic

YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/83764721083

Abstract

We propose a design for a novel transdermal treatment method of superficial basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, making up 80% of all skin cancers. This is traditionally treated through surgery or topical chemotherapy, which causes large painful wounds and may lead to ulceration. Although it infrequently metastasizes and is seldom fatal, its potential size, superficial nature and frequent localization to the head and neck make treatment favoring an optimal aesthetic result ideal. Quality systems were implemented through carefully outlining specifications and procedures for our product to ensure efficacy and compatibility with determined metrics. Following these processes, we were able to successfully create a product design in which an effective oral treatment, vismodegib, is applied through a transdermal delivery method. This produces an aesthetic treatment option without the gastrointestinal symptoms that commonly results from systemic treatment. This product design was completed through coupling vismodegib, hydrogels, and microneedles in a novel combination to allow for continuous treatment of the basal cell carcinoma with controlled localized release. This device will be applied to a porcine model to examine regional drug concentration and systemic drug concentration to ensure it elutes a high enough drug concentration to achieve a therapeutic dose. The lower systemic concentration is expected to reduce the side effects of vismodegib, which is a large challenge with current treatment methods. Currently the cost of creating this transdermal patch is expected to be around $50 per unit.