Patent-Terahertz pulse radiation in treating skin disorders

USPTO Applicaton #: #20150217131 
Inventors: Lyubov Titova, Frank Hegmann, Olga Kovalchuk

http://www.freshpatents.com/-dt20150806ptan20150217131.php

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for the treatment of skin disorders through the use of minimally invasive terahertz radiation. The method includes exposing skin cells to terahertz radiation in amount sufficient to modulate gene expression in the skin cells. The modulation of gene expression then results in a reduction of the disease state or aspects thereof in the exposed skin cells.

The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20150217131, Terahertz pulse radiation in treating skin disorders.

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This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/936,627, filed Feb. 6, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and psoriasis are two skin conditions that affect a large number of individuals each year. In the United States alone, there are over 3.5 million cases of NMSC while 1-3% of the population of the United States will develop psoriasis in their lifetime.

NMSC can be primarily divided into two types of skin cancers: squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinomas account for 80% of all NMSC cases. This type of cancer develops in cells in the lower epidermis. Such carcinomas occur most frequently on the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back. Basal cell carcinoma is usually slow growing and rarely metastasizes, but it can cause significant local destruction and disfigurement if neglected or treated inadequately.

The remaining 20% of NMSC is squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the upper most layers of the epidermis. Of the over 700,000 new cases of squamous cell carcinomas diagnosed each year in the United States, over 2,500 will result in death.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune mediated skin disorder effecting 1-3% of the population of the United States. Psoriasis is characterized by hyperplasia of keratinocytes resulting in thickening of the epidermis and the presence of red scaly plaques. The lesions in this chronic disease typically are subject to remissions and exacerbations. Some individuals with psoriasis can also develop psoriatic arthritis and joint pain. Moreover, psoriasis can also be a psychological burden on those afflicted by the disease when the affected skin areas are visible to others.

Current treatment of NMSC generally involves surgical excision of the tumor together with a margin of normal tissue and, when surgery is not feasible or desirable, destruction of the tumor cells by ionizing radiation or other means. Treatment for psoriasis involves topical applications, systemic treatments (e.g., drug injections), and phototherapy involving exposure to UV radiation.

Although each method of treatment can be relatively effective, each has its drawback. For example, removal of a NMSC patch can leave a visible scar. On the other hand, not only is moderate to severe psoriasis resistant to topical treatments, but because of its chronic and recurrent nature, systemic therapy or radiation is often required.

Therefore, there is a need for further methods of treating skin disorders that are rapid, minimally invasive, specific for skin, and easy to use.