Breakthrough Patch Delivers High-Dose Drugs to Lymph Nodes Without Needles, Seoul Researchers Say

Healthcare | 2025-10-27 18:16:57
[medi K / HEALTH IN NEWS] SEOUL — Researchers at Asan Medical Center have developed a needle-free patch that rapidly shuttles large volumes of medication through the skin to lymph nodes, achieving effects comparable to traditional injections, according to a study released Monday.

The device, dubbed a surface fluidic microneedle patch (SFMNP), uses nanoscale materials and capillary action to drive drugs spontaneously into the skin. In animal models, the patch delivered payloads to lymph nodes within 10 minutes of application, with drugs persisting in the body for more than two hours — outperforming conventional syringe-based methods in retention time.

Applied to the skin, the patch allows medication to diffuse naturally and enter the lymphatic system with high efficiency. Unlike earlier microneedle designs, which often struggled with dose size or speed, the new platform handles bulkier therapeutic loads while maintaining safety.

(From left) Jae Yong Jeon, M.D., professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center; Hwayeong Cheon, Ph.D., researcher at the Medical Engineering Research Institute; and Hyun Sik Yoon, Ph.D., professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. (Photo courtesy of Asan Medical Center)
(From left) Jae Yong Jeon, M.D., professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center; Hwayeong Cheon, Ph.D., researcher at the Medical Engineering Research Institute; and Hyun Sik Yoon, Ph.D., professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. (Photo courtesy of Asan Medical Center)


Production is straightforward, enabling scalable manufacturing of single-use units that minimize infection risk and improve patient convenience.

The team plans to extend the technology to monitoring treatment responses in conditions such as lymphedema and lymph-node metastasis. Future applications could include delivery of anticancer agents and contrast media, positioning the patch as a next-generation drug-delivery system.

Kim Kuk Ju / press@themedik.kr
Copyright © 2020 mediK. All rights reserved.

K-Culture&Travel

image
Wellness
Korean Herbal Tea Culture: A Wellness Tradition for Body and Mind
In Korea, traditional herbal teas, known as hanbangcha, are crafted from natural medicinal ingredients like jujube, ginger, licorice, schisandra, and ginseng. These teas are prepared by meticulously cleaning the ingredients and simmering them over low heat for hours to extract their therapeutic properties and aromas, according to cultural sources like ClipArt Korea. Rooted in Korean traditional medicine, or hanuihak, this practice emphasizes harmony between the body and nature, offering a holistic approach to wellness that resonates with modern health-conscious audiences.Constitutional Medicin
image
Wellness
Five Olive Young Masks to Rescue Your Skin From Korea’s Dry Autumn
As autumn settles over South Korea, the air turns crisp and dry, pulling moisture from the skin and leaving it tight, flushed, or flaky. Left unchecked, these small irritations can snowball into bigger troubles. For travelers touching down in Seoul—or anyone curious about the country’s beauty rituals—Olive Young, the ubiquitous K-beauty drugstore, stocks a lineup of sheet masks and pads that address exactly these seasonal gripes. Below are five standouts, each tuned to a different concern: calming redness, locking in hydration, or fading post-blemish marks. Prices reflect current Olive Youn
image
K-Culture & Travel
How to Ride Seoul’s Subways Like a Local: T-money, Etiquette, and Rush-Hour Hacks
South Korea’s subway system is a marvel of precision, cleanliness, and efficiency—one of the world’s best urban transit networks. From Seoul’s sprawling web to the interconnected lines in Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju, the trains are an indispensable lifeline for travelers. Yet for foreigners, everything from buying a fare card to observing unspoken etiquette can feel daunting. This guide distills insider tips so you can ride like a Seoulite.1. Getting Your Transport CardThe workhorse is the T-money card.You can pick one up at any convenience store, subway station, or Incheon International Air
image
K-Culture & Travel
APEC 2025 in Gyeongju: Where Ancient Korea Meets the Global Future
This fall, the millennium-old city of Gyeongju will command the world’s attention. From late October into early November, the HICO (Hwabaek International Convention Center) will host the APEC summit, drawing leaders from 21 economies and some 20,000 delegates. For South Korea, it marks the first time in 20 years—since Busan in 2005—that the country plays host to this gathering of Pacific Rim powers.Why Gyeongju, and why now?Gyeongju is far more than a conference backdrop. For a thousand years the capital of the Silla kingdom, it cradles Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, the Daereungwon tom

Headlines

Doctors & Hospitals