This study developed doxorubicin-loaded microneedles that melt and release the drug upon exposure to near-infrared light, combining chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. The microneedles contain photothermal nanoparticles that generate heat from near-infrared light to quickly melt the microneedles and release doxorubicin into punctured tissue in an on-demand, controlled manner. In vivo tests in mice showed the combined treatment had a synergistic effect, completely destroying tumors without weight loss or tumor recurrence, demonstrating these light-triggerable microneedles are a promising system for superficial cancer treatment.