
Immunity Induction Therapy show Potential with Antibodies, Wound-Healing Therapies
Acne research delineating molecular and cellular pathogenic pathways gives insight into new therapeutic targets. consistent with a recent review, biologics and other therapies that modulate scar formation and wound healing will have value for treating severe acne.
Continuing research on the pathogenesis of acne has yielded a replacement understanding of underlying molecular and cellular pathways, suggesting new targets for therapeutic intervention, says Ichiro Kurokawa, MD, director, Department of Dermatology, Meiwa Hospital, and clinical educational professor, Hyogo College of drugs , Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan, together with Keisuke Nakase, PhD, professor , Department of Microbiology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.

The information on these advances is summarized during a recent article1 written by Kurokawa and Nakase. The authors review recent findings on the pathogenesis of acne, discuss novel treatments, and propose future therapeutic strategies. With the necessity for extra treatments for severe acne, Kurokawa tells Dermatology Times®that findings from immunological studies are of interest as they suggest the potential to testimonial immunity induction therapy with antibodies.
“The future treatment for severe acne will involve biologic therapies targeting interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and reworking protein (TGF)-β,” he says. especially , these pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved within the development of scar formation, which is that the most refractory complication of severe acne. additionally , TNF-α promotes lipogenesis in human sebocytes,” says Kurokawa.
“Treatments that enable wound healing also are of interest as a therapeutic intervention to stop permanent scarring in patients that suffer from severe acne,” he adds.
The discussion of recent findings on acne pathogenesis is split into sections reviewing research concerning sebaceous follicle biology, sebum, genetics, keratinization, hair cycles, immunology, bacteriology, and wound healing. Findings from these studies suggest numerous novel potential treatments.
Kurokawa explains that insulin protein (IGF)-1 is involved in acne pathogenesis through stimulation of lipid formation. additionally , research investigating genetic associations with acne development implicates the involvement of genes within the IGF family also as within the melanocortin receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) families among others.
Kurokawa and Nakase note that while existing antimicrobial agents used for treating acne are believed to possess benefits for both their effects on Cutibacterium acnes (C acnes) and anti inflammatory activity, the look for alternatives continues thanks to concern over the emergence of bacterial resistance with antibiotic overuse. Vaccination strategies for eradicating C acnes and preventing its overgrowth show promise.
“C acnes induces production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Complete suppression of acne inflammation would likely mean combining these vaccinations with antibody agents ready to block the pro-inflammatory cytokines,” Kurokawa says.
Although there has been limited study of hair cycles in acne and a scarcity of research into keratin expression within the hair cycle in acne lesions, available evidence shows a shift within the hair cycle from anagen to telogen or catagen phases, consistent with the authors.
Kurokawa and Nakase speculate that progenitor cells within the junctional zone might differentiate towards the infundibulum and sebaceous duct cells instead of towards the lower portion of the hair follicles.
“The sebaceous follicle with hypercornification within the sebaceous duct is typically atrophic without the outer root sheath below the opening of orifice of sebaceous follicle ,” Kurokawa says.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPY
The authors also review novel acne therapies getting used in Japan that show encouraging results for the treating both nodulocystic acne and perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens, a related treatment-refractory disorder.
Kampo may be a traditional Japanese herbal medicine using Saireito. While it’s utilized in combination with topical peroxide , oral antimicrobial agents, and native steroid injections, there’s biological plausibility for advantage of Saireito, consistent with the article’s authors.
“Basic research studies are needed to work out the mechanisms by which Saireito modulates acne pathogenesis, but there’s evidence that its activities include effects on endogenous corticosteroids, inflammation, reactive oxygen species, coagulation, macrophages, neutrophils, and endothelial cells,” Kurokawa says.
Other treatments used for severe acne in Japan include Jyumihaidokuto and Keigairengyoto. Jyumihaidokuto contains Bokusoku, an extract from Quercus cortex that has been shown to inhibit testosterone-induced sebum synthesis. Keigairengyoto has both an antibacterial effect on C acnes and inhibits reactive oxygen species.