A breakthrough by researchers at McGill University could revolutionize in vitro fertilization for women, potentially eliminating painful hormone injections and boosting success rates. This groundbreaking development involves a light-activated microneedle patch that could streamline the process and alleviate the stress and discomfort often associated with fertility treatments.
In traditional in vitro fertilization procedures, women are required to undergo daily hormone injections leading up to egg retrieval, a process that can be challenging and physically taxing. Success rates for in vitro fertilization hover around 30%, with timing of injections playing a crucial role in treatment outcomes.
The innovative microneedle patch offers a novel solution by automating the drug delivery process. By wearing the patch on the skin for a designated period, the necessary hormones can be released at precisely timed intervals, without the need for daily injections.
This cutting-edge patch features hydrogel microneedles filled with nanoparticles that release the hormone leuprolide when stimulated by infrared light. What sets this technology apart is its ability to harness infrared light to trigger drug release without introducing any foreign substances into the body, unlike traditional light-activated patches that rely on harmful ultraviolet light.
Lead researcher Marta Cerruti explains that by utilizing special nanoparticles that convert infrared light into safe ultraviolet light, the team has developed a system that ensures precise drug delivery without risking exposure to harmful UV rays. The microneedles effectively prevent the nanoparticles from entering the body, allowing only the drug to be released when activated by light.
While initial tests have shown promise in rats, further studies on larger animals are necessary before clinical trials on humans can proceed. The path to regulatory approval from Health Canada may take several years, but the potential impact of this technology extends beyond fertility treatments, with implications for other health conditions like diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
Published in the scientific journal Small, this study marks a significant advancement in reproductive technology, with contributions from a team of researchers including Vivienne Tam, Rusvir Trana, Alfonso Nieto-Arguello, Ore-Oluwa Olasubulumi, Samuel Babity, Artiom Skripka, Fiorenzo Vetrone, and Davide Brambilla.
