New Topical Drug Mobilizes Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Triggers Activity For Accelerated Wound Healing And Reduced Scar Formation

Science has tapped into a powerful way of mobilizing helpful stem cells from within the human body to help treat a common health issue that affects more than three million Americans each year or approximately 15% of the nearly twenty-one million Americans with diabetes. Diabetic foot ulcers are the primary cause of hospital admissions for all diabetics. Foot ulcers that do not heal properly are at risk for infection, which can lead to amputation. According to the American Diabetes Association, one in four patients with a diabetic foot ulcer will eventually require a lower limb amputation.

Mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs may be the key to healing these difficult diabetic foot ulcerations, preventing amputations.  MSC are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types.  As a fetus develops, MSCs are some of the primary drivers of that rapid initial growth.  By the time we reach our teens, however, MSCs are mostly found in bone marrow and have little to do with dermal cell production.

When wounded or burned, however, it appears the skin, our bodies’ largest organ, craves these cells that it had when it was first growing.   In fact, recent studies show that removing MSC’s from bone marrow and then placing them onto hard-to-heal wounds has a significant accelerated healing effect.

In contrast to surgically removing MSC’s from bone marrow (a painful, time consuming, and expensive process), a new topical drug, the novel angiotensin analog DSC127, appears to have the ability to activate the mesenchymal stem cells in a patient’s own body. DSC127 signals the recruitment of MSCs to the injury site, mobilizing them to help repair wounded or burned skin, accelerate healing and reduce scar formation. Imagine: a topical product that utilizes the patient’s own stem cells; that is, a stem cell-related product that is free of both the ethical controversies surrounding the medical use of fertilized embryos as well as potentially painful bone marrow transfers.

Derma Sciences Inc., a Princeton, New Jersey-based company that develops, manufactures, and markets innovative wound care products, licensed DSC127 from the University of Southern California in 2007. Currently in a seventy-five patient Phase II clinical trial being undertaken at some of the nation’s most respected academic and research institutions, the drug is being considered for indications that include: diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, arterial ulcers, pressure ulcers, thermal and chemical wounds, and scar prevention.

Extensive pre-clinical studies have been extremely favorable and have demonstrated the efficacy of the compound in accelerating healing and reducing scar formation.

We would be happy to arrange for an interview with you and the management of Derma Sciences, to discuss DSC127 and the remarkable innovations in this vital healthcare space. In the meantime, I encourage you to visit www.dermasciences.com to learn more.