Advances in Biopharmaceutical Agents and Growth Factors for Wound Healing and Scarring

Wounds undergo overlapping phases of repair that are mediated by cytokines, growth factors, and other chemotactic factors within the tissue. The duration of each stage of healing varies with the wound type but can take many months to years to resolve and often results in the development of a scar. These scars can result in adverse aesthetics, loss of function, restriction of tissue movement, and adverse psychological effects. Despite the numerous advances in understanding the science of wound healing, there are still many undiscovered processes that have to be elucidated. Once a more complete understanding of the role of cytokines and growth factors involved in wound healing is gained, future patient care may rely upon the therapeutic manipulation of signaling cascades that involve these factors in an attempt to initiate scarless wound healing. We consider some examples of the approaches attempted using biopharmaceutical agents and growth factors to improve wound repair and reduce scarring.