title: Novel opportunities in the treatment and prevention of scarring.
abstract: Numerous treatments have been described for the treatment and prevention of scars, but the optimal management strategy is yet to be defined. In this article we present and evaluate new opportunities for the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars, keloids, and atrophic scars. Clinical, animal, and in vitro studies reporting novel techniques for the treatment and prevention of scarring were identified primarily from the MEDLINE/PubMed database. We found that a variety of new treatments exist with potential effectiveness for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids, including interferon, imiquimod 5% cream, tacrolimus, botulinum toxin, 5-fluorouracil, bleomycin, and verapamil. For atrophic scars, different types of lasers represent modern treatment modalities with satisfactory results. Several agents have been reported to be effective in reducing scarring in vitro and in animal studies, representing potential opportunities for scarring management. We conclude that several novel modalities may be potential therapies for scarring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA. bberman@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.forename: Adriana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: Claudia C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ramirez
mesh_terms: D001761:Bleomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068579:Celecoxib; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053685:Laser Therapy; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014700:Verapamil / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D001761:Bleomycin; D014700:Verapamil; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A; D000068579:Celecoxib; D005472:Fluorouracil; D016559:Tacrolimus