Gene Expression During Surgical Scar Remodeling by Fractional Photothermolysis

Withdrawn before enrolling · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Hypertrophic Scars

In brief

This project aims to understand the molecular biology underlying the improvement of surgical scars treated by ablative fractional photothermolysis (FP). Previous human studies at MGH have shown that FP significantly improves the appearance and functionality of surgical and burn scars. At the Wellman Center, we have conducted a randomized, controlled study on linear surgical scars demonstrating the efficacy of FP to decrease the volume of hypertrophic scars, and to improve the appearance and texture of scars. However, the underlying mechanism of this therapeutic effect is unknown. It is clear that FP induces wound healing and remodeling of the normal skin surrounding microthermal zones (MTZs). Furthermore, other researchers have employed animal models using transgenic zebrafish and the mouse eye, and found that laser treatments induce changes in gene expression in specific cells. We propose to determine whether the effect of FP on scar improvement occurs via changes in patterns of local gene expression within the skin, specifically dermal fibroblasts. By characterizing these changes, we may be able to identify molecular mechanisms that both explain and contribute to the beneficial effects of FP in the surgical and traumatic scar. The molecular insights into the therapeutic effects of fractional laser photothermolysis may provide a basis for future therapeutic strategies to improve scar remodeling.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01858038

Run by

Massachusetts General Hospital

People needed

0

Starts

2013-05-01

Expected to finish

2014-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2019-09-19

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 50. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Subjects who are healthy with ages between 18 and 50 years.
• Subjects who have had their most recent abdominal procedure at least 2 years prior to enrollment in study.
• Subjects with surgical scars with a length greater than 10 cm or 4 inches.
• Subjects whose scars are either hypertrophic or atrophic but enlarged.
• Subjects who are willing to participate in the study.
• Subjects who are willing to receive laser treatment.
• Subjects who are willing to receive skin biopsies.
• Subjects who agree and sign an informed consent relating to study procedures.
• Subjects who are willing to follow the treatment schedule and post-treatment care requirements.
• Subjects who had not received any topical treatment for scars in the past month, including corticosteroid injections, topical fluorinated corticosteroids or any other laser treatment.
• Subjects who are willing to avoid topical or systemic scar treatment, including topical over-the-counter (OTC) corticosteroids, during the study period.

You may not qualify if…

• Subjects with underlying skin or other medical conditions that could have an adverse effect on wound healing.
• Subjects with evidence of infection on area to be treated or elsewhere on body.
• Subjects with presence of suntan in the area to be treated.
• Subjects who have had topical/Injected corticosteroids within 1 month of entering the study.
• Subjects with known anticoagulation or thromboembolic condition.
• Subjects who are immunosuppressed.
• Subjects who are unable to comply with treatment, home care, or follow-up visits.
• Subjects who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Subjects with known autoimmune disease.
• Subjects who are enrolled in any other clinical trial using systemic medication; or any other treatment that might interfere with this study.
• Subjects with known diabetes mellitus

Where it is running

• Massachusetts General Hospital - Wellman Center for Photomedicine — Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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