Biosensor-Integrated Microneedle Devices for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic and Infectious Diseases: Current Status, Trends and Challenges

Despite advancements in clinical diagnostics, traditional biomarker detection methods (e.g., ELISA) remain limited due to their invasive nature, slow results, and inadequate use for continuous monitoring in low-resource settings. With the rise in chronic, infectious, and metabolic diseases, there is a pressing demand for real-time, minimally invasive diagnostic tools. Nanoengineered microneedle (MN) biosensors offer a promising solution. These painless devices can access interstitial fluid (ISF), a rich source of biomarkers, while utilizing advanced nanomaterials for high sensitivity and multiplexed detection. When combined with AI, IoT connectivity, and cloud-based analytics, MN biosensors enable personalized health data and continuous disease management. This review outlines recent advances in MN technology, including innovations in design and nanomaterial integration, as well as translational challenges like manufacturing scalability and regulatory approval. We explore how MN designs incorporating various sensing modalities can facilitate real-time monitoring of biomarkers such as glucose, lactate, and inflammatory proteins. Importantly, we discuss how these devices can improve healthcare access, reduce costs, and empower patients through everyday monitoring. This review integrates developments in MN engineering with biosensing and therapeutics, positioning biosensor-integrated MNs as pivotal in enabling continuous, minimally invasive disease monitoring and personalized therapy beyond traditional hospital environments.