Objective: Little is known about the efficacy of products aiming to prevent radiodermatitis, which affects between 90-95% of women with breast cancer. The use of antioxidants is promising, however, there is a lack of evidenceon their effectiveness. Here, the authors present a clinical trial protocol to evaluate the effects of applying a cream containing nanoparticles with vitamin E to prevent radiodermatitis in patients with breast cancer.

Method: The protocol recommends that 108 women with breast cancer, receiving radiotherapy, are included in this triple-blinded, randomized, controlled study at an oncology hospital. Patients will be divided in three groups of 36 individuals each: group A will receive a cream with lipid nanoparticles and vitamin E, group B will receive a cream without nanoparticles nor vitamin E, and group C will receive a cream with nanoparticles without vitamin E. The primary endpoints will evaluate the incidence, degree, and time of onset of radiodermatitis. The secondary endpoints will focus on the quality of life, symptoms, and local temperature. Patients will be assessed three times a week, from the start of their radiotherapy treatment to two weeks after the last session. This protocol was approved by the research ethics committee of the institutions involved and registered on an international trials database.

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Tocotrienol (TRF) ethosomes were developed and evaluated in vitro for potential transdermal delivery against melanoma. The optimised TRF ethosomal size ranged between 64.9 ± 2.2 nm to 79.6 ± 3.9 nm and zeta potential (ZP) between -53.3 mV to -62.0 ± 2.6 mV. Characterisation of the ethosomes by ATR-FTIR indicated the successful formation of TRF-ethosomes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images demonstrated the spherical shape of ethosomes, and the entrapment efficiencies of all the formulations were above 66%. In vitro permeation studies using full-thickness human skin showed that the permeation of gamma-T3 from the TRF ethosomal formulations was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than from the control. The cumulative amount of gamma-T3 permeated from TRF ethosome after 48 hours was 1.03 ± 0.24 µg cm^-2 with a flux of 0.03 ± 0.01 µg cm^-2 h^-1. Furthermore, the flux of gamma-T3 across the Strat-M ^® and the epidermal membrane was significantly higher than that across full-thickness human skin (p < 0.05). In vitro cytotoxicity studies on HaCat cells showed significantly higher cell viability than the pure drug solution (p < 0.05). The enhanced skin permeation and high cell viability associated with this formulation suggest a promising carrier for transdermal delivery.

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This study investigated combination nanocarrier and microwave system for α-tocopherol and γ-tocotrienol delivery against dermatitis, without skin thinning effect of steroids. The vitamin E was formulated into water-rich/water-poor nanoemulsions, and had their droplet size, zeta potential, morphology, therapeutic content, encapsulation efficiency and release, in vitro skin therapeutics/nanoemulsion penetration, retention and permeation profiles, and in vivo pharmacodynamics characteristics examined, with skin pre-treated by precision microwave when applicable. The nanoemulsions had droplet sizes <150 nm and negative zeta potential values. The skin pre-treatment by microwave (1 mW/3985 MHz) promoted therapeutics accumulation in epidermis through enhancing nanoemulsion penetration into skin. The combination nano- and microwave technologies fluidized skin lipid and protein domains with epidermal microstructures being fluidized to a greater extent than dermis, allowing a relatively high epidermal-to-dermal nanoemulsion distribution. Microwave of lower or higher than 3985 MHz brought about lower skin therapeutics/nanoemulsion accumulation due to insufficient lipid/protein domain fluidization or microwave-skin interaction limiting at skin surfaces only. Using water-rich nanoemulsion with higher therapeutic release and skin pre-treatment with 3985 MHz microwave, dermatitis was alleviated in vivo without skin thinning of standard steroid. The use of combination microwave and nanotechnology promotes vitamin delivery and translates to positive dermatitis treatment outcome that warrants future investigation.

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Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation are some of the proposed mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Current pharmacotherapeutic approaches are effective yet they are not without adverse effects. Vitamin E has great potential as an adjunctive treatment for AD owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities.

Summary: This review article summarizes the current available evidence from cellular, animal and clinical studies on the relationship between vitamin E and AD. The future prospects of vitamin E are also discussed. Vitamin E in practice does not show any toxicity to humans within a range of reasonable dosage. Albeit rarely, vitamin E as a contact allergen should be considered. Collectively, this review envisaged vitamin E as an adjunctive treatment for AD patients. Future research on the distinct effects of different vitamin E isoforms as well as their delivery system in skin disorders is needed.

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Aims: This study was aimed to develop Isotretinoin (ITN) and α-tocopherol acetate (α-TA) loaded solid lipid nanoparticle topical gel for better skin sensitivity and potentiation of efficacy.

Methods: ITN and α-TA-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (AE-SLN) were prepared by microemulsion method with glyceryl mono-stearate as lipid and tween 80: butanol as surfactant_mix and characterised. AE-SLN gel was evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, drug release, skin irritation and anti-acne activity in rats.

Results: AE-SLNs had mean particle size of 193.4 nm (zeta-potential -29 mV) and entrapment efficiency of 84%w/w for ITN and 77.4%w/w for α-TA. AE-SLN gel showed sustained drug release for 24 h with a final cumulative release of 95.8% w/w and 89.1%w/w for ITN and α-TA. AE-SLN gel showed no erythema or edoema in rabbits and potent efficacy in rat model of acne.

Conclusion: In conclusion, AE-SLN gel has the potential to use as a non-irritant topical formulation for the treatment of acne.

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Background: It is expected that a combination of amniotic membrane stem cell metabolite product (AMSC-MP) and vitamin E after fractional CO₂ laser as laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) will provide better effects in photoaging treatment as the combination reaches the target. This promises an option for photoaging therapy in the future.

Materials and methods: Sixty women with photoaged skins were involved in this experimental study. They were then divided into two groups. The treatment group received a topical combination of AMSC-MP and vitamin E, and the control group received AMSC-MP alone after fractional CO₂ laser. The treatment was repeated three times.

Result: The Janus assessment results showed a significant difference in pores in the third observation, and the average pore improvements in the treatment group were better than the control group. Wrinkle, UV spot, and polar spot did not show any significant difference.

Conclusion: A combination of the amniotic membrane stem cell metabolite product (AMSC-MP) and vitamin E after fractional CO₂ laser as LADD only improves pores in photoaged skins.

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Background: Many products claiming to improve scar appearance are readily available on the Internet. Data behind these claims are often difficult to find or summarize. Patients often ask their surgeon for advice for scarring postdermatologic surgery.

Objective: We aim to review the evidence behind several advertised products and techniques that claim to improve postsurgical scarring.

Methods: A PubMed search was performed using products and methods claiming to improve scar appearance along with the terms “scar” and “scarring”.

Results: Published literature on scar massage, taping of scars, silicone gel and sheeting, onion-based extract products, and vitamin E was reviewed. Silicone gel/sheeting as well as taping have the most evidence to help improve scarring, but even then the evidence is conflicting and weak.

Conclusion: Online advertising may tempt patients to buy and trial products to help minimize scarring, although the evidence for the effectiveness of these products is absent to minimal. Dermatologists must be aware of these products to maintain effective patient counseling.

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