Polynucleotide Therapy Shows Promise in Scar and Burn Management

Image Credit: © Iryna Budanova - stock.adobe.com

A new case series evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of polynucleotide-based therapies (Rejuran) for scars and burns.¹ Patients treated with Rejuran, or a relevant combination therapy, observed reduced scar visibility, improved skin texture, and enhanced skin quality.

The unique biological actions of polynucleotide therapy utilize salmon DNA to stimulate tissue repair/rejuvenation, modulate inflammation, and enhance collagen production. As common treatments such as silicone-based products, corticosteroid injections, and laser therapy often require multiple sessions and may not address extensive or more complex scarring, polynucleotide treatments are a breakthrough in scar and burn management.²

8 case studies were performed on patients with various types of scars and burns. Results were recorded with clinical examination and before-and-after photographs of each participant.

Case 1 involved a 60-year-old woman with a residual scar on her left cheek from a biopsy procedure. After the second session of Rejuran S therapy (2 cc), there was a marked reduction in texture irregularity and discoloration, while the overall skin quality was enhanced. This case highlights polynucleotide therapy’s efficacy in post-traumatic scarring, specifically in older patients.

Case 2 featured a 40-year-old woman with an anchor scar on the lower part of her breast that developed 6 months after surgery. Several Rejuran S sessions occurred 3 weeks apart from one another, using 2 cc of product in each session. After 2 months, significant improvement in the scar’s discolored appearance and texture was observed, making the post-operative mark less conspicuous.

In Case 3, a 14-year-old girl suffered a post-traumatic facial scar from an accidental injury 2 months prior. Clinicians used Rejuran S therapy for 3 sessions at 3 weeks apart, with 2 cc of product used at each. After just 1 month, the scar’s visibility was reduced and skin texture greatly improved. This case highlights the rapid results that occur with polynucleotide therapy, which is vital in treating younger patients with post-traumatic scars.

Cases 4 and 5 emphasize the scar management and tissue regeneration properties of Regeneron polynucleotide therapy, which can be bolstered with other methods among a multi-modal treatment strategy. The first patient was a male with severe second-degree chemical burns on the right side of his body and face. These injuries occurred during battle in May 2022 and treatment began in September of the same year. A combination treatment plan included 1 session of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), 1 session of Incobotulinum toxin A (150 units), and 10 Rejuran Healer sessions. Significant advancements were seen just 1 month after the Rejuran Healer sessions.

The next patient was a female who suffered traumatic facial scars from an explosion that occurred 1 month prior. This treatment regimen included 10 PRP sessions, 6 Rejuran S sessions every two weeks, and bi-weekly Incobotulinum toxin A injections (100 units). In both examples, the combination of Rejuran and adjunctive strategies provided significant scar reduction, improved skin rejuvenation, and overall enhanced skin condition.

Case 6 addressed a 47-year-old female with iatrogenic facial scars occurring from microneedle treatment. The patient was treated with 2 Rejuran S sessions 2 weeks apart (2 cc) and Cross-linked hyaluronic acid. This specific combination therapy led to improved skin revitalization and scar appearance, showing Rejuran’s power in healing scars from treatment-related injuries.

The final participants in cases 7 and 8 sustained injuries from dog bites. Each patient received personalized treatment plans that addressed the unique challenges that can occur from animal bites in hard-to-treat areas. A 48-year-old female with a nasal injury was treated with 3 Rejuran S sessions spaced 3 weeks apart (3 cc), combined with 2 sessions of Incobotulinum toxin A (60 units). A 31-year-old female with a lip wound was treated with 1 session of Rejuran S (1 cc), followed by 2Rejuran HB plus sessions administered bi-weekly and a PRP session between theRejuran HB plus regimen. The polynucleotide therapy and its corresponding strategies led to visible scar reduction and enhanced skin condition in both patients.

According to the researchers, possible limitations of this study include the lack of a control group and the small sample size. Larger prospective studies and randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-ups could address these.

Although initial results were promising, further trials on the efficacy of the presented combination therapies are needed to confirm the benefits and safety profile of polynucleotide treatment

“By evaluating treatment outcomes and patient experiences across diverse scenarios, we seek to enhance our understanding of the impact of polynucleotides on improving esthetic results, accelerating wound healing, and promoting overall well-being,” the authors wrote. “The insights gained from this research are intended to inform and refine treatment protocols, contributing to the advancement of dermatological and wound care practices.

References

1. Kim MJ, Wan J, Oksana L, et al. Polynucleotide-based treatments for various facial scars including combat injuries. J Dermatolog Treat. 2024;35(1):2426626. doi:10.1080/09546634.2024.2426626

2. Kwon SH, Barrera JA, Noishiki C, et al. Current and Emerging Topical Scar Mitigation Therapies for Craniofacial Burn Wound Healing. Front Physiol. 2020;11:916. Published 2020 Jul 29. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00916