2026-10-12T08:54:36Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/32805464 2026-10-01T16:15:55Z portal_1172 item_type_8 month_year_10_2026

Development and evaluation of microneedle systems for sustained transdermal delivery of entecavir Yidan Luo (7064915) PUREID: 674794732 transdermal drug delivery microneedles prodrug strategy long-acting delivery entecavir hepatitis B nanoparticles pharmacokinetics Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health issue, requiring long-term antiviral therapy. While entecavir (ETV) is a potent first-line agent for Hepatitis B treatment, its clinical effectiveness is often compromised by strict fasting requirements and the burden of daily adherence. Thus, there is a clear clinical need for alternative delivery strategies that offer sustained release and reduce dosing frequency. This study explored microneedle (MN)-based transdermal systems as alternative platforms for sustained ETV delivery. Both dissolving microneedles (DMNs) incorporating the lipidic prodrug entecavir-3-palmitate (EV-P) and hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMNs) loaded with ETV were evaluated. EV-P-loaded DMNs achieved sustained systemic exposure for up to 28 days following a single administration in vivo. The HFMN-reservoir system enabled sustained delivery over 48 hours with enhanced systemic exposure relative to oral dosing. The findings support the feasibility of MN-mediated sustained delivery of ETV and provide insight into the design of long-acting transdermal systems for chronic antiviral therapy.<br><br><i>Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2031.</i> 2026-10-01T16:15:55Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32805464.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Development_and_evaluation_of_microneedle_systems_for_sustained_transdermal_delivery_of_entecavir/32805464 All Rights Reserved Open Access after 2031-07-31