Ultrasound-mediated transdermal protein delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Pharmacology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Transdermal drug delivery is limited by low skin permeability, restricting its use to small molecules.
• High molecular weight compounds, such as therapeutic proteins, face significant barriers for transdermal administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of low-frequency ultrasound to enhance human skin permeability for transdermal drug delivery.
• To assess the feasibility of delivering therapeutic proteins noninvasively via the skin.

Main Methods:

• Application of low-frequency ultrasound to human skin.
• Monitoring the permeability of skin to various molecules, including high molecular weight proteins.
• Controlled delivery of therapeutic protein doses across the skin barrier.

Main Results:

• Low-frequency ultrasound significantly increased human skin permeability by several orders of magnitude.
• Successful transdermal delivery and controlled dosing of proteins like insulin, interferon gamma, and erythropoietin were achieved.
• Ultrasound facilitated the passage of high molecular weight compounds previously unsuitable for transdermal delivery.

Conclusions:

• Low-frequency ultrasound is a promising technology for enhancing transdermal drug delivery.
• This method enables the noninvasive administration of therapeutic proteins, offering an alternative to injections.
• Ultrasound-mediated transdermal delivery expands the potential applications of topical drug administration for various treatments.