Trends in nanoformulations for atopic dermatitis treatment

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Immunological skin dysfunctions trigger the synthesis and release of inflammatory cytokines, which induce recurrent skin inflammation associated with chronic itching, inefficient barrier behavior, and reduced skin hydration. These features characterize a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease atopic dermatitis (AD). AD therapy includes anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressors as well as non-pharmacological alternatives such as emollients, moisturizers, and lipids (ceramides, phospholipids) for modulating the skin hydration and the barrier repair. However, these treatments are inconvenient with low drug skin penetration and insufficient maintenance on the application site.

Areas covered

Nanotechnology-based therapies can be a great strategy to overcome these limitations. Considering the particular skin morphological organization, SC lipid matrix composition, and immunological functions/features related to nanocarriers, this review focuses on recent developments of nanoparticulate systems (polymeric, lipid-based, inorganic) as parent or hybrid systems including their chemical composition, physico-chemical and biopharmaceutical properties, and differential characteristics that evaluate them as new effective drug-delivery systems for AD treatment.

Expert opinion

Despite the several innovative formulations, research in nanotechnology-based carriers should address specific aspects such as the use of moisturizers associated to pharmacological therapies, toxicity studies, scale-up production processes and the nanocarrier influence on immunological response. These approaches will help researchers choose the most appropriate nanocarrier system and widen nanomedicine applications and commercialization.

KEYWORDS:

• Atopic dermatitis
• polymeric nanoparticles
• lipid-based nanoparticles
• inorganic nanoparticles
• hydrogels

Article highlights

•Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory and immunological dermatosis associated to inefficient skin barrier and reduced skin hydration.

•Moisturizers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for AD treatment, but adverse events and variable effectivity on AD clinical stages limit their uses.

•siRNA, immunobiologicals and skin-lipids in nanocarriers are trends on AD treatment.

•Nanoparticles (polymeric, lipid-based, inorganic) and hydrogels are pointed out as innovative nanomedicines for AD treatment.

•New approaches on scale-up production, cost-effectiveness, toxicity and randomized controlled clinical investigations should address the most appropriate nanocarriers systems for AD treatment.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by São Paulo Research Foundation [FAPESP #2017/24402-1, #2019/05100-0, #2019/20303-4]; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico [CNPq 307718/2019-0].