Fractional CO(2) laser-assisted drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Laser Technology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) creates microchannels in the skin.
• These channels may improve the penetration of topical medications.
• Methyl 5-aminolevulinate (MAL) is a photosensitizing agent used in photodynamic therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of CO2 laser AFR in enhancing the topical delivery of MAL into the skin.
• To assess the depth and distribution of MAL-induced porphyrin fluorescence after AFR.

Main Methods:

• CO2 laser AFR was performed on Yorkshire swine.
• Topical MAL, placebo, or no drug was applied to treated and untreated sites.
• MAL-induced porphyrin fluorescence was measured using fluorescence microscopy at various skin depths.

Main Results:

• AFR created channels approximately 300 micrometers in diameter and 1,850 micrometers deep.
• AFR significantly enhanced MAL delivery to hair follicles and dermis compared to MAL alone.
• Porphyrin fluorescence was observed deep into the dermis (up to 1,800 micrometers) and at the skin surface.

Conclusions:

• CO2 laser AFR effectively facilitates deep topical delivery of MAL into the skin.
• This technique can potentially enhance the uptake of MAL and other topical medications for photodynamic therapy.
• AFR presents a clinically practical method for improving topical drug delivery in dermatology.