Rheology-guided development of polymer microneedles for pembrolizumab deliver in triple-negative breast cancer

Anna Palma – PhD student, Department of Chemicals, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II; Fabrizia Rossi – student, Department of Chemicals, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II; Giuliana Allocco – student, Department of Chemicals, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II; Daniele Tammaro – Assistant Professor, Department of Chemicals, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II; Concetta Di Natale – Assistant Professor, Department of Chemicals, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II; Pier Luca Maffettone – Full Professor, Department of Chemicals, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II

Introduction: Pembrolizumab has demonstrated clinical benefit in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC); however, systemic administration is often associated with immune-related toxicities, limited intratumoral bioavailability, and reduced patient compliance^1–3. Localized, pain-free delivery strategies enabling controlled drug release may improve therapeutic index while minimizing systemic exposure². Polymeric microneedles (MNs) incorporating pembrolizumab-loaded microparticles (MPs) represent a promising platform, although formulation complexity and processability remain key translational challenges.