Recent advances in cell-targeted drug delivery systems that are chemically programmed to bind with a single cell receptor have made it possible to use topical skin therapy with less unwanted toxicities and efficient drug efficacy. These efforts have led to several targeting strategies that may be useful in cosmetic dermatologic applications.

In a recent 16-week long clinical trial of a skin brightening composition with melanocyte cell-targeted delivery, the goal was to find out how well it evened out the skin tone by changing the activity of melanocytes in a group of 50 Fitzpatrick types I-VI people with moderate to severe dyspigmentation.

Expert grading, skin surface colorimetry and subject self-assessments showed considerable improvement in facial skin tone 2 weeks following treatment beginning, with continuing improvement through week 16. Investigator ratings showed a statistically significant improvement in skin brightness at week 2 and in skin evenness and brightness by week 8. By weeks 12 and 16, skin evenness and brightness improved significantly. Colorimetry showed skin dyspigmentation improvement from 2 to 16 weeks. Self-assessment data showed skin dyspigmentation improvements. Hence, cell-targeted topical therapy is efficacious in improving skin pigmentation through site-specific suppression of melanocyte activity.

Source: Draelos ZD, Woodin FW Jr. Clinical evidence of cell-targeted topical therapy for treating skin dyspigmentation. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(8):865-7.