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Topical Drug Delivery in Humans with a Single Photomechanical Wave

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Abstract

Purpose. Assess the feasibility ofin vivo topical drug delivery in humans with a single photomechanical wave.

Methods. Photomechanical waves were generated with a 23 nsec Q-switched ruby laser. In vivo fluorescence spectroscopy was used as an elegant non-invasive assay of transport of 5-aminolevulinic acid into the skin following the application of a single photomechanical wave.

Results. The barrier function of the human stratum corneum in vivo may be modulated by a single (110 nsec) photomechanical compression wave without adversely affecting the viability and structure of the epidermis and dermis. Furthermore, the stratum corneum barrier always recovers within minutes following a photomechanical wave. The application of the photomechanical wave did not cause any pain. The dose delivered across the stratum corneum depends on the peak pressure and has a threshold at ∼350 bar. A 30% increase in peak pressure, produced a 680% increase in the amount delivered.

Conclusions. Photomechanical waves may have important implications for transcutaneous drug delivery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114

    Shun Lee, Nikiforos Kollias, Daniel J. McAuliffe, Thomas J. Flotte & Apostolos G. Doukas

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  1. Shun Lee
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  2. Nikiforos Kollias
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  3. Daniel J. McAuliffe
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  4. Thomas J. Flotte
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  5. Apostolos G. Doukas
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Correspondence to Shun Lee.

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Lee, S., Kollias, N., McAuliffe, D.J. et al. Topical Drug Delivery in Humans with a Single Photomechanical Wave. Pharm Res 16, 1717–1721 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018954015441

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