Research Updates

Nanodermatology: when size really does matter

20 July 2010

Adnan Nasir, MD

Nanotechnology can be defined as the purposeful design of matter 100nm or less in size. Since its origin in the 1950s, the number of discoveries and patents capitalizing on nanotechnology continues to grow at an exponential rate. Indeed, one of the top 10 US patent holders in nanotechnology is a cosmetics company. Nanotechnology is therefore an important aspect in the production of many skin-care products (eg sun-protection creams, insect repellants), as well as in the diagnosis (eg magnetically guided nanopunch) and management (eg nano drug delivery) of skin diseases. In his article, Dr Nasir discusses some of the "tremendous strides" that nanotechnology has taken in the field of dermatology. However, he warns that "because of the increased potential reactivity of nanomaterials, manufacturers interested in developing nanotechnology for patient and consumer use will need to consider safety, biocompatibility,and host health."

Atopic dermatitis: a complex immunopathogenesis

12 May 2010

Donald YM Leung, MD, PhD

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects nearly 20% of children, but which can also persist into adulthood. Defects in the skin barrier, as well as immune dysregulation (involving T cells, antigen-presenting cells, keratinocytes, chemokines etc), play an important role in this condition. These responses are themselves influenced by genetic abnormalities and environmental triggers (eg food, allergens, microbes). Dr. Donald Leung highlights the complexity of the immune changes seen in this condition and discusses key factors in the management of AD, including new evidence for a beneficial effect of oral vitamin D.

Cutaneous stem cells and cancer

15 October 2008

Stephen Lyle, M.D., Ph.D.
In the last several years there has been a great deal of interest in the relationship between stem cells and cancer. In this article, Dr. Stephen Lyle considers several aspects of stem cell biology that apply to cancer, while focusing on the skin. Dr. Lyle believes that the application of advances in stem cell biology to cancer research can lead to a better understanding of what drives carcinogenesis, tumor progression, recurrence and metastasis, and that the localization of keratinocyte, melanocyte and neural crest-derived stem cells in the bulge region of the skin provides an excellent model system to study the relationship of stem cells and cancer.