Examining the Therapeutic Potential of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Treatment of Keloids

Summary

Keloids are a common form of hypertrophic scars that by definition last beyond 6 months and grow beyond the site of initial injury. Keloids are a common complaint from patients in dermatology and cause significant functional impairment due to cosmetic disfigurement, itching and pain. Current treatment modalities include intralesional corticosteroids, chemotherapeutic agents and laser therapy. Initial reports have demonstrated that Botulinum toxin type A may be a viable treatment option for keloids that can reduce keloid size and reduce associated symptoms while having fewer side effects when compared to intralesional corticosteroid injection, which can cause unnatural blood vessel growth or skin thinning. To date, no study has carefully examined the efficacy of Botulinum toxin type A in treating keloids or its mechanistic effects on keloid biology. Our aim in this study is to pursue a rigorous, randomized control trial to assess the potential use Botulinum toxin type A to treat keloids. Efficacy will be objectively be mentioned by change in keloid size after treatment, along with subjective measures of patient satisfaction and symptoms, and finally physician rated scores. Also, samples from three patients will be analyzed in the laboratory setting to determine the underlying molecular mechanism behind the effects of Botulinum toxin type A on keloid biology.

Timeline

Start

2022-03-11

Primary completion

2023-05-31

Completion

2023-05-31

Publications

• Background Bi M, Sun P, Li D, Dong Z, Chen Z. Intralesional Injection of Botulinum Toxin Type A Compared with Intralesional Injection of Corticosteroid for the Treatment of Hypertrophic Scar and Keloid: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Med Sci Monit. 2019 Apr 22;25:2950-2958. doi: 10.12659/MSM.916305.
• Background Cocco A, Albanese A. Recent developments in clinical trials of botulinum neurotoxins. Toxicon. 2018 Jun 1;147:77-83. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.08.014. Epub 2017 Aug 14.
• Background Shaarawy E, Hegazy RA, Abdel Hay RM. Intralesional botulinum toxin type A equally effective and better tolerated than intralesional steroid in the treatment of keloids: a randomized controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2015 Jun;14(2):161-6. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12134. Epub 2015 Mar 24.

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