Recombinant epidermal growth factor (Elea Spa)

This study aimed to investigate the role of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in promoting the healing of oral and maxillofacial (OMF) trauma, analyze its specific impact on healing time, and explore the biological mechanisms of rhEGF in facilitating wound recovery.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 135 patients with OMF trauma treated at our hospital from May 2023 to May 2024. Patients were divided into an observation group (72 cases) receiving rhEGF treatment and a control group (63 cases) receiving conventional therapy. Clinical efficacy, inflammatory responses, perioperative indicators, and other outcomes were compared between the two groups.

The observation group demonstrated a higher treatment efficacy rate (94.46 %) compared to the control group (77.78 %) (χ² = 16.151, P < 0.001). In the perioperative period, the observation group exhibited shorter healing time (t = 6.038, P < 0.001), reduced incision edema duration (t = 12.330, P < 0.001), and lower post-treatment VAS scores (t = 10.400, P < 0.001), though surgical duration was slightly longer (t = -24.145, P < 0.001). Inflammatory marker analysis revealed that EGF levels were higher (t = -13.969, P < 0.001), while IL-6 (t = 10.458, P < 0.001) and CRP levels (t = 14.092, P < 0.001) were lower in the observation group than in the control group. Scar hyperplasia occurred in only 2 cases in the observation group compared to 13 cases in the control group (χ² = 10.848, P < 0.001).

rhEGF promotes wound healing in OMF trauma, accelerating recovery, shortening healing time, reducing inflammatory responses, and minimizing scar hyperplasia.

Atrophic acne scars (AAS) are disfiguring and permanent changes caused by inflammatory acne. Fractional carbon dioxide is a common ablative device used to treat this condition. However, issues such as unclear effectiveness, frequent treatments, and potential side effects exist. In recent years, recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) has also been frequently reported for its application in the treatment of acne scars.

To explore the potential synergistic effect of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with rhEGF in AAS treatment.

We enrolled 15 patients with AAS. They received fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment and were then randomly assigned to receive either rhEGF or a placebo on one side of the face. The procedure was repeated three times, and the results were evaluated using the échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné (ECCA) score and analyzed using the CBS camera system, 3D analysis (3DMD). Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) examination was also conducted.

Both sides exhibited significant improvement in the appearance of the acne scars after treatment, as confirmed by the ECCA score, 3DMD data, and CBS texture score. On the rhEGF‐treated side, the pore number and epidermal pigment area significantly improved as compared to the control side, whereas no significant differences were observed in the other data. Under RCM, a significant increase in epidermal thickness and appearance of reticular collagen fibers in the dermal layer after treatment was observed.

Compared to the sole use of laser, the combination of fractional carbon dioxide laser and rhEGF does not significantly enhance scar therapeutic effects. However, it does shorten the recovery period after laser treatment and improves the pore appearance.