Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Hana Zelenkova
Slovak Society for Aesthetic & Cosmetic Dermatology, Slovakia
Keynote: Carboxytherapy – non-invasive method in dermatology, aesthetic dermatology and some other branches of medicine
Time : 10:00-10:40
Biography:
Zelenkova Hana has been active in the field of Dermatovenerology since 1973. Since 2000 she has been directing her own Private Clinic of Dermatovenereology. She is a Coordinator of many international multicentre trials. She has 420 scientific publications to her credit and is the author of the book “Carboxytherapy” (2015), translated into 4 languages. She is regularly invited to deliver lectures at international congresses and she is the Founder and President of the Slovak Society for Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dermatology (SSEDK), Organizer and President of the Traditional International Dermaparty Congress. She is the Vice-President European Society of Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dermatology since 2006 and President of the European Society of Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dermatology since 2007.
Abstract:
Carboxytherapy; therapeutically applied carbon dioxide injections have been used in balneotherapy since 1932. This treatment modality has become the centre of attention as a unique method applicable in dermatology, aesthetic dermatology and anti-aging medicine. This unique method is minimum invasive and non-aggressive which is comfortable for the patient and producing excellent effects without the risk of undesired side effects. In aesthetic dermatology this method may be applied as a rejuvenation modality and is employed mainly due to its classic vasodilatation effect and its capacity to foster intradermal collagen restructuring. In classic dermatology it is used to treat patients with poor healing lower leg ulcers, in diabetic patients and in patients with poor healing surgical wounds. Carboxytherapy is efficient also in some psoriasis manifestations when combined with some other traditional approaches, in circumscript scleroderma, lichen verrucosus as well as hair loss. In aesthetic dermatology the effect is manifest quite soon (usually after two sessions already in the course of 7-14 days). It significantly and visibly improves the tonus of the skin as well as other aesthetic parameters (especially while treating skin laxity in abdomen area, inner arms and thighs and double chin or saggy eyelids. Good effects also show following the application of carboxytherapy to treat stretch marks, cellulite and scars (also older and more extensive scars after burns). Great effects are achieved in correcting the side effects of ill performed interventions such as liposuction or in using carboxytherapy directly to shape problem body areas (thighs, hips and abdomen).
Keynote Forum
Ajay K Banga
Mercer University, USA
Keynote: Skin Delivery Systems, Formulations, and Devices
Time : 10:50-11:30
Biography:
Ajay K Banga is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, USA. He also holds an Endowed Chair in transdermal delivery systems and serves as Co-Director for the Center for Drug Delivery Research. He has completed his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Rutgers University, NJ. He has over 300 publications and scientific abstracts to his credit. He currently serves on the Editorial Board of 10 journals, Associate Editor for one journal and has served as the Editor-in-Chief for a Drug Delivery journal. He has written three single author books and over 12 book chapters in the areas of transdermal delivery and protein formulation/delivery. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.
Abstract:
This presentation will discuss drug-device combinations to enhance dermal delivery of cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals. We have recently shown that physical treatments by ablative laser and polymeric microneedles enhanced skin delivery of methotrexate and other actives. Poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) microneedles, fabricated by melting technique and ablative laser (2940 nm) were both able to significantly enhance delivery. Successful skin poration by microneedles and ablative laser were demonstrated by dye binding, histology and DermaScan studies. Dimensions of microchannels in skin were measured by Scanning Electron Microscopy, pore uniformity and confocal laser microscopy. The feasibility of transdermal delivery of human growth hormone through laser-microporated skin was also demonstrated and the effect of depth and density of micropores was studied. Recently, we have used in vitro microdialysis as a promising technique to quantify lateral diffusion of drugs in skin. The rate of lateral diffusion of Diclofenac sodium was enhanced by microneedle and ablative laser treatment. Other technologies of interest include iontophoresis and phonophoresis. Recent innovations in these technologies will be presented. We have demonstrated iontophoretic delivery of several drug molecules including several polypeptides.
Keynote Forum
Martin D Souza
Mercer University, USA
Keynote: Microneedle based transdermal vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer- Are we there yet?
Time : 11:30-12:10
Biography:
Martin J D Souza has obtained his PhD degree from the University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA. He is working as a Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in the College of Pharmacy at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. He also serves as the Director of the Clinical Laboratory and Co-Director of the Center for Drug Delivery Research. He has published over 90 manuscripts and has been the recipient of several research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Diabetes Association, the Georgia Cancer Coalition and the Georgia Research Alliance. He serves on several Editorial Boards and is a journal Reviewer for over 10 scientific journals and has several patents issued in the area of Nanotechnology.
Abstract:
Our Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory at Mercer University has been working on the design and delivery of microparticulate vaccines for both infectious diseases and cancer. In this presentation, we discuss the triumphs and tribulations of this rather innovative, in-expensive and painless method of vaccine delivery. Our patented technology is rather broad based and can be used to administer multiple vaccines in a single set of micro-needles. On the infectious disease vaccine front, we have been working on the vaccines for several infectious diseases such as influenza, HPV, RSV, meningitis, gonorrhea and measles vaccines designed for delivery via microneedles. In this presentation, we will discuss the results of some of these vaccine prototypes. The vaccine antigen was formulated in bio-degradable and bio-compatible matrices to prepare microparticles. These vaccine microparticles were administered using micro-needles via the transdermal route. Serum samples were obtained at regular intervals in-order to determine the antigen specific antibody responses (such as IgG). Animals were challenged with live virus/bacteria to determine the level of protective immunity developed after vaccination. Further, we examined the expression of co-stimulatory molecules that impact antigen presentation in human macrophages pulsed with the antigen. We also evaluated antigen presentation (CD80) and death signal (CD 95) in an in vitro setup where antigen-presenting cells (APCs) primed by the antigen were used to stimulates plenocytes that had never been exposed to the antigen. The up-regulation of other co-stimulatory molecules such as CD-40, CD-80 and CD-86 were also determined. In conclusion, the novel vaccine particles are robustly taken up by macrophages and up-regulate co-stimulatory molecules that enhance antigen presentation which is a pre-requisite for inducing adaptive immunity. The other innovative microneedle particulate vaccines under study are therapeutic cancer vaccines such as breast, melanoma, ovarian and prostate cancer vaccines. The microneedle formulations resulted in reduced tumor growth. We also report on the effect of adjuvants such as Alum, MF-59 and MPL on enhancing the potency of these vaccine proto-types. Microparticulate vaccine was prepared by entrapping tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), in a polymer matrix of albumin and EUDRAGIT polymers using a Buchi mini spray dryer. Animals were exposed to tumor cell and once the tumor was palpable, these animals received the vaccine microparticles as prime and boosters via transdermal route through microneedles. The tumor growth was routinely monitored. Mechanistic studies such as natural killer cell activity, CD8+ and CD4+ T-Lymphocyte activity after vaccination were also carried out in order to study the mechanism by which the vaccine works to modulate immune response. Flow cytometric analyses for CD8 and CD4 T-cell assays, NK-cell activity were carried out to assess vaccine efficacy. Based upon the vaccine response data, the tumor retardation was found to be significant after transdermal administration. Vaccination may prove to be an efficient treatment for cancer patients in the future.