ISSN:
1365-2133
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background Transfersome® is a drug delivery technology based on highly deformable, ultraflexible lipid vesicles which penetrate the skin when applied non-occlusively.Objectives To assess the advantages of this carrier-based formulation in humans, the efficacy and the atrophogenic potential of triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) in Transfersome® was compared with commercially available TAC-containing cream and ointment.Methods Healthy volunteers were enrolled in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials with random study medication assignment to the test areas.Results A 10-fold lower dose of TAC in Transfersome® (2·5 µg cm−2) was bioequivalent to 25 µg cm−2 TAC in conventional formulations as measured by erythema suppression (cream: P = 0·01, ointment: P 〈 0·001). A skin blanching assay revealed different kinetics of the formulations, with a delayed onset of action of the Transfersome® and ointment preparations. Ultrasonic measurements revealed a significantly reduced atrophogenic potential. There was a 12·1% reduction in skin thickness given by TAC in Transfersome® compared with a 21·1% reduction given by a bioequivalent dose in TAC cream after a 6-week treatment period (P = 0·007).Conclusions Transfersome® may significantly improve the risk–benefit ratio of topically applied glucocorticosteroids.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05475.x
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