1ST International Conference of the Nanodermatology Society, February 4th, 2011, New Orleans, LA

Karin Blecher, BA and Adam Friedman, MD*
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
*Corresponding author: email: ajf0424@yahoo.com, tel: 646-541-5596
Fax: 718-944-4219, Full mailing address: Division of Dermatology, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 E. 210th Street, Bronx, New York, 10467

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing discipline with enormous promise for consumers and patients. It is no surprise that a vast number of patents have been issued for nanotechnology in the cosmetics arena as a means of enhancing topical delivery of a broad range of consumer products. In fact, the skin is the first point of contact for a whole host of nanomaterials, ranging from topical preparations to sporting goods and industrial manufactured goods. Safety aspects relating to the use of these nano-engineered consumer and health care products are in question, and yet dialogue in the world of dermatology has to date been limited.

At the inaugural international conference of the Nanodermatology Society (NDS, www.nanodermsociety.org) clinicians, scientists, members of industry, and policy makers gathered in New Orleans, LA on February 4th, 2011 to review and discuss recent advances in nanotechnology and potential pitfalls as they pertain to dermatology. The conference was held at the Hilton Riverside in conjunction with the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. The program included nine presentations by leading experts in dermatology and nanodermatology, and covered a broad range of subjects including: Nanodrug delivery for cutaneous infection ?• Nanotechnology in cosmecueticals ?• Nanodrug delivery for acne/rosacea ?• Nanoparticles for the management of cutaneous malignancy ?• Nanotechnology and the immune system ?• Sunscreens and nanotechnology ?• Nanotechnology and the treatment of genetic diseases ?• Nanotoxicology ?• Intellectual property in nanotechnology. The organizer and chairperson of the event was Adnan Nasir MD, PhD, assistant professor of Dermatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and President of the NDS.

Dr. Nasir called the meeting to order by outlining the society’s four major areas of interest in nanotechnology, which include diagnostic tools, therapeutics, consumer products, and safety. Examples and issues pertaining to each category were presented. Dr. Nasir reminded the audience that just recently, for the first time in history, the President of the United States acknowledged nanotechnology in a state of the union address, and underscored its importance in the diagnosis and treatment of human disease.

Figure 1. Dr Adnan Nasir welcomes attendees
to the inaugural Nanodermatology Society Meeting.

Dr. S. Tsao (Massachusetts General Hospital, MA) presented on Laser Assisted Nano-Suturing (LANS). This novel method of excisional wound closure utilizes a photosensitizing dye (Rose Bengal) that can be applied to opposing edges of a surgical wound and activated by laser or light irradiation, generating cross links between dermal and epidermal proteins. The efficacy of LANS was compared to traditional superficial suture closure in 31 patients who underwent standard fusiform excision of dysplastic nevi or basal cell carcinoma. One half of the wound was closed with nylon epidermal interrupted sutures and the other half was closed with LANS. At 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months follow up, patients consistently experienced decreased itching, tightness, and crusting on the LANS treated side compared to traditional sutures. Patients and physicians noted a better cosmetic outcome with less erythema and scarring with LANS. In addition, a comparable tensile strength was noted in LANS vs. sutures. This was the first human clinical trial demonstrating photo-induced nanotechnology wound closure.

Dr. Z. Draelos (Duke University, NC) discussed the role of nanoparticles in cosmetics, particularly in facial foundations, pigmented cosmetics, and moisturizers, emphasizing that the small size of nanoparticles makes them invisible on the skin and creates unique optical effects based on absorbance and reflectance. Another focus was the safety of nanoparticles in cosmetics, specifically the use of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in sunscreens, as there has been concern that inert particles that are not removed may incite low levels of inflammation. However, these concerns were alleviated by discussing the use of anionic or polymer coating and larger particle size, all which could minimize absorption through the skin.

Figure 2. Dr Zoe Draelos discusses nanotechnology in cosmetics.

Dr. J. Kim (University California Los Angeles, CA) presented her work on encapsulating therapeutics targeting Acne Vulgaris, such as retinoic acid and granulysin, in nano-“vaults” (derived from cytosolic ribonucleic protein complexes) and nanodiscs (discoid lipid bilayer fragments derived from apoliprotein A1). Preliminary data suggests that the limitations associated with topical delivery of these hydrophobic medications, such as poor solubility and penetration, could be overcome with these technologies.

Dr. R. Scher (UNC Chapel Hill, NC) presented the role of NB-002 topical nanoemulsion for the treatment of onychomycosis. NB-002 has been shown to have broad antifungal activity as well as sporicidal activity by fusing with and disrupting fungal cell surfaces resulting in cell lysis. Compared to available topical antifungals, NB-002 demonstrated increase periungal skin permeation, allowing diffusion of particles laterally to the nail matrix and bed. Its efficacy in onychomycosis was proven in a phase 2 clinical trial, in which a significant clinical response was seen in 443 patients with mild-to-moderate disease treated with NB-002 for 42 weeks.

Dr. M. G. Wilkerson (UTMB Galveston, TX) discussed nanotoxicology and the long-term effects of cytoplasmic nanoparticles on cells. Dr Wilkerson reviewed his work on the mutagenic effects of TiO2 on Chinese Hamster Ovarian (CHO) cells as a result of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after exposure to long wave ultraviolet light. Long-term incubation of CHO cells with TiO2 was also investigated to determine the effects of nanoparticle accumulation, or “nano-load.” Results showed that there were no significant effects on the viability or proliferation of cells, but there were increased levels of ROS as well as variation in the DNA content of cells. Dr. Wilkerson commented that currently, the long-term implications of nano-loading are unknown.

Dr. Sancy Leachman (University of Utah, UT) provided a brief overview of the role of SiRNA gene therapy in pachyonychia congenital (PC), a dominant negative skin disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in K6a, K6b, K16, and K17. Her presentation focused on a double blind vehicle control trial of intralesional siRNA (TD 101), which was found to reduce patient symptoms and reduce callus length. However the intense pain associated with intralesional injection precluded this as a viable delivery option. As a result, Dr. Leachman discussed the role of nanotechnology as a means of overcoming these clinical limitations through topical application of sustained release nanoencapsulated functional siRNA.

Figure 3. Dr. Sancy Leachman presents her work
using siRNA to treat inherited skin diseases.

Figure 4. Dr. Steven Wang discusses his work on
determining size and distribution of photoblockers
in commercial sunscreens.

Dr S. Wang (Memorial Sloan Kettering, NJ), secretary of the NDS, presented his work on determining the size and distribution of nanoparticles in sunscreens using static light scattering. To date, little is known regarding the size distribution of nanoparticulate photoblockers incorporated into sunscreens, as measurement techniques are challenging. The feasibility of measuring both size and distribution of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles in commercially available sunscreens was demonstrated using this methodology, providing a more accurate means to hypothesize and understand levels of human exposure to these nanomaterials.

Dr A. Friedman (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY), vice president of the NDS concluded the meeting by highlighting the need for novel approaches to treat infectious diseases in his talk “Combating Small with Smaller: Nanotechnology and Antimicrobials.” The beneficial features of nanoscaled materials as they relate to antimicrobial activity, such as size, high surface to volume ratio, targeted delivery, and combination therapy, as well as their mechanisms of action were reviewed. Dr Friedman concluded that both the nanoencapsulation/conjugation of established therapeutics or labile active molecules, such as nitric oxide, and the utilization of nanoscaled materials with inherent antimicrobial activity (i.e. silver, chitosan, and soybean oil) will likely be integral to our treatment of resistant skin and soft tissue infections.

Figure 5. Dr Adam Friedman reviews safety concerns
pertaining to the use of nanosilver as an antimicrobial agent.

Sponsorship for the meeting was provided by Merck, Schering- Plough, Johnson & Johnson, Horiba Scientific, P&G, and BASF.

Planning for the 2nd International Conference of the Nanodermatology Society is underway, to be held in conjunction with the 70th Annual American Academy of Dermatology Meeting in San Diego, CA.