Photothermal therapy using gold nanoparticles on the acne in Asians: Preliminary study

초록

Background: Acne is a common skin disease that occurs in pilosebaceous units and is often prevalent in adolescence. Since conventional treatments for acne have many side effects, it is necessary to develop a more effective and safe alternative treatment for managing acne in patients. Objectives: This study aims to confirm the effect of the treatment with gold photothermal therapy on acne. Methods: Fourteen patients who visited the dermatologic clinic with moderate to severe acne vulgaris were included in the study. All patients received three successive treatments at 1∼2-week intervals with a photopneumatic device after applying the gold microparticles ampule on the skin. All changes in the number of papules, pustules, and comedones before and after treatment, along with overall improvement, were assessed. In the four patients who agreed in advance, a biopsy of the acne lesion was taken in acne lesion before and 1 month after the last treatment. Results: Significant reduction of acne lesion was observed after the use of the gold photothermal therapy (papule; P ˂ .001, pustule; P ˂ .001, comedone; P = .001). As noted in the Physician Global Assessment, the patients showed an average improvement of >50% in their condition. In histopathologic terms, a decrease in the inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrotic change of dermis were observed after the use of the gold photothermal therapy. Conclusion: Gold photothermal therapy showed a significant clinical and histological improvement on acne vulgaris without serious adverse effects in Asian patient populations.