Biomedical subjects

Wendy Chern

Publications and source records attributed to Wendy Chern.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Poly-L-lactic acid: an overview.

In August 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)-based injectable medical device for restoration and/or correction of the signs of facial fat loss (lipoatrophy) in people with human immunodeficiency virus. As a result, the properties of the PLLA microparticles have received considerable interest from the medical community. Polylactides have a long-standing history of safe use in medical applications, such as pins, plates, screws, intra-bone and soft-tissue implants, and as vectors for sustained release of bioactive compounds. The L-isomer of polylactic acid is a biodegradable, biocompatible, biologically inert, synthetic polymer. Putatively, PLLA microparticles initiate neocollagenesis as a result of a normal foreign-body reaction to their presence. The build-up of collagen over time creates volume at the site of injection, while the PLLA microparticles are metabolized to carbon dioxide and water and expelled through the respiratory system.

Absorbable Implants↗

PubMed2002

A novel 0.5% fluorouracil cream is minimally absorbed into the systemic circulation yet is as effective as 5% fluorouracil cream.

Recent in vitro and in vivo studies compared the absorption of a 0.5% fluorouracil cream with that of a 5% fluorouracil cream, following topical application to the skin. Both studies demonstrated that fluorouracil is minimally absorbed into the systemic circulation. Despite a one-tenth concentration difference between formulations, the cumulative amount of fluorouracil excreted in the urine of patients treated with the 0.5% cream was one fortieth that of patients treated with the 5% cream. Interestingly, higher percentages of fluorouracil were retained in the skin following application of the 0.5% cream compared with the 5% cream, suggesting that delivery of the 0.5% cream may be more targeted to the affected area. Other studies have demonstrated that the 0.5% cream is as effective as the 5% cream for the treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs) and has a more favorable tolerability profile. Therefore, this new 0.5% fluorouracil cream may be a safer, yet equally effective treatment alternative.

Administration, Topical↗