Treatment of severe acne scars: prospective and randomized study of highly purified polynucleotide versus placebo
Objectives: We aimed assessed the improvement in dermal quality and acne scars after PN-HPT™ versus placebo according to Antera 3D® and the patient responses to PSQ after a comparison of pre- and post-treatment photographs at 1, and 3 months.
Introduction: Managing acne scars is a challenge and therapies are divided into nonsurgical and surgical. Highly Purified Technology Polynucleotides, PN-HPT™ are a compound which contains a mixture of DNA polymers of different lengths. Numerous studies have shown that PN-HPT™ also serves as an energy source, thus influencing cellular growth and cells vitality.
Materials / method: We Included women aged 30–50 years old with grade 3–4 moderate-to-severe atrophic scars according to the Goodman classification; nonsmokers; had not had active acne during the past 5 years; Ten patients (PN-HPT™ group) were treated with 4.0 ml of PN-HPT™, and ten patients (control) were treated with 4.0 ml of normal saline. All medical treatments were performed in a double blinded manner; neither the injection doctor nor the patient knew if the PN-HPT™ or the placebo was being administered.
Results: twenty women fit the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Only patients in PN-HPT™ group improved significantly at 1 and 3 months after treatment compared to baseline.
Conclusion: Our prospective and randomized study showed that PN-HPT™ in monotherapy was safe and effective treatment for atrophic scar acne when compared with placebo. Prospective and randomized studies will be necessary to investigate the clinical effectiveness in a larger cohort of patients and for a longer follow up.