Reviewed by Lexie CornerNov 13 2024
According to a study published in Biomaterials Advances, scientists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a patch that will make treating psoriasis more effective and efficient. This technique can also be applied to treat other inflammatory skin conditions.
“Our studies show that the patch is just as effective as standard treatments.” Image Credit: William Brøns Petersen
Psoriasis, one of the most common skin conditions globally, affects approximately 4–5 percent of the Danish population. The inflammatory disease is characterized by a red rash with white scales that can vary in appearance, size, and severity.
Currently, psoriasis patients have several treatment options, with creams and ointments being among the most popular. However, these treatments require frequent application throughout the day and often leave the skin feeling greasy, leading some patients to neglect consistent use—an essential factor for the success of the treatment.
We have developed a dry patch, which contains active ingredients for treatment of psoriasis, and which reduces the frequency of use to once a day. It has the potential to make treatment more comfortable for psoriasis patients.
Andrea Heinz, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen
One Patch Serving Several Functions
The patch contains two active ingredients, which are released onto the skin at different rates simultaneously.
It is really clever, because treatment of psoriasis often requires more than one product. The two ingredients are released in a controlled manner and at different rates, as they serve different functions: Salicylic acid is released immediately to remove the dead cells that have accumulated on the skin, while hydrocortisone decreases inflammation of the skin–a process that takes more time.
Anna-Lena Gürtler, Ph.D. Fellow, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen
Gürtler added, “We have tested the prototype on pig skin and human skin cells and compared the results to the creams and ointments available at pharmacies, and our studies show that the patch is just as effective as standard treatments.”
Potential to Treat Other Conditions
To create the patch, the researchers used electrospinning, a technique that generates synthetic nanofibers by applying a high voltage to a polymer solution. These fibers are then assembled into a fiber mat that can be applied to the skin in a manner similar to a plaster.
The patch is still under development. Before it is ready for use, further research, product development, and clinical trials are needed. However, Andrea Heinz believes it holds tremendous potential that extends beyond treating psoriasis.
Heinz concluded, “A patch containing active ingredients may be an alternative to creams and ointments in the treatment of other inflammatory skin diseases, for instance, atopic eczema. It may also be useful in connection with wound healing.”
Journal Reference:
Gürtler, A.-L. et. al. (2024) Electrospun fiber patches for inflammatory skin diseases – Correlating in vitro drug release with ex vivo permeation. Biomaterials Advances. doi.org/10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.214068