The use of epidermal growth factor in dermatological practice

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a growth factor that plays a pivotal role in wound healing and maintaining tissue homeostasis by regulating cell survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Exogenous administration of bioidentical human recombinant epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) has been known to promote skin wound healing, although rhEGF is increasingly being used in drug delivery systems and nanotechnology. However, despite considerable attention being focused on the potential clinical applications of rhEGF in several dermatological conditions beyond wound healing, the number of studies still remains relatively low. Herein, we conducted a literature search of PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar databases to retrieve published literature related to rhEGF and summarised the effects of rhEGF in the treatment of various wound types, radiotherapy or chemotherapy-related skin reactions, atopic dermatitis, skin aging, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Keywords: cosmetics; dermatology; epidermal growth factor; wound.

FIGURE 1

Schematic view of intracellular signalling pathways involved in rhEGF function

FIGURE 2

(A) Clinical photographs of a chronic and recalcitrant traumatic wound in a 35‐year‐old female before, and (B) after two weeks of treatment with rhEGF ointment. (C) Clinical photographs of a traumatic abrasion wound in a 62‐year‐old male before, and (D) after three days of treatment with rhEGF ointment