Suppression of transforming growth factor-beta1 expression in keloids after cryosurgery

Sara M Awad1, Sahar A Ismail1, Doaa S Sayed1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

Cryobiology
|March 15, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Cryosurgery effectively reduces keloid volume and suppresses dermal overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1), a key factor in keloid development.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The biological mechanisms of cryosurgical treatment for keloids are not fully understood.
  • Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) is implicated in keloid pathogenesis and targeted by various therapies.
  • The impact of cryosurgery on TGF-β1 expression in keloid tissue has not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of cryosurgery on TGF-β1 expression in keloid tissue.
  • To evaluate the clinical efficacy of cryosurgery in keloid treatment.

Main Methods:

  • 26 keloid patients underwent 2-6 cryosurgery sessions.
  • Keloid biopsies were collected before treatment and after two sessions.
  • Immunohistochemical evaluation of TGF-β1 expression was performed.

Main Results:

  • An average keloid volume reduction of 68.77% was observed after two sessions.
  • Dermal TGF-β1 overexpression was present in all pre-treatment keloid specimens.
  • Significant reduction in TGF-β1 expression was detected post-cryosurgery (P=0.016).

Conclusions:

  • Cryosurgery demonstrates clinical efficacy in treating keloids.
  • Cryosurgery effectively suppresses TGF-β1 expression in keloid tissue.
  • Reduced TGF-β1 expression may contribute to keloid regression following cryosurgery.