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Soo Park, MD
Soo Park, MD
Posted: Wednesday, March 2, 2022
According to research presented in Frontiers in Oncology, wounding therapies may be effective treatments for protecting skin against carcinogenesis. Treatments including skin-surfacing and cosmetic procedures may help restore insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling to levels typically present in younger skin.
“The concept of restoring youth and combating malignancy through wounding therapies holds potential as a major dermatological treatment modality,” concluded Jeffrey B. Travers, MD, PhD, of Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, and colleagues.
According to the study authors, deficient IGF-1/IGF-1R levels contribute to the proliferation of ultraviolet B–damaged keratinocytes, leading to an increased likelihood of malignant and neoplastic transformation. Though the exact mechanism is unknown, wounding therapies appear to reverse geriatric fibroblast senescence, resulting in higher IGF-1/IGF-1R levels. They also may result in desirable cosmetic outcomes.
The study reviewed four wounding treatments: dermabrasion, microneedling, chemical peeling, and fractionated laser resurfacing. Dermabrasion was found to have varying efficacy depending on the skill and technique of the treatment provider, with the potential to result in undesirable cosmetic outcomes. Microneedling, a less aggressive and less expensive modality, was noted to be effective and widely available. Chemical peeling demonstrated promise as a preventive treatment for skin carcinogenesis, and fractionated laser resurfacing exhibited regenerative properties in addition to lasting protective effects following a single treatment.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit frontiersin.org.
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