Effects of botulinum toxin A on patient-specific keloid fibroblasts in vitro.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To test whether therapeutic effects of botulinum toxin A on patient- specific keloid tissue can be reproduced on the cellular level. Specifically, effects on cell proliferation and expression of growth factors and cytokines relevant for wound healing were to be tested. STUDY DESIGN Experimental study including patient specific cell cultures of keloids. METHODS Patient-specific keloid tissue was tested in a cell culture model for effects of botulinum toxin incubation on cell proliferation and expression of the following cytokines and growth factors: IL-6 (interleukin-6), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β). RESULTS None of the tested parameters of human keloid tissue were affected by botulinum toxin A incubation. CONCLUSION The present study does not add evidence to suggest a significant therapeutic role of botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of keloids. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A.