New Drugs for Scar Treatment

Abstract

Cutaneous scar formation following injury is an exuberant fibro-proliferative event and causes aesthetic distress associated with functional problems for those afflicted. Traditionally, surgical revision of excessive hypertrophic scars is commonly performed. However, scar recurrence rate is high and surgical treatments are often combined with radiation therapy, corticosteroid injections, or with other noninvasive therapies. Pharmacological intervention of scar-promoting cellular activities has recently gained traction based on the emerging scientific evidence proving efficacy and safety of new therapeutics in preclinical studies. Ideal new drug therapies would be noninvasive, inexpensive, safe-to-use, and effective in prevention of scar formation. Recently, cytokine-based therapies and modulators of mechanotransduction are being evaluated for their anti-fibrotic properties in the reduction and prevention of scarring. Therapeutic potential of evidence-based new scar therapeutics holds promise toward improving the current wound and scar management practice.