Exosome and Biotherapeutic Strategies for Dermatological and Oncological Skin Complications

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Biopharmaceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2025 | Viewed by 141

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
ESME Clinic, ul. Lwowska 1/U16, 30-548 Kraków, Poland
Interests: exosome-based therapies in aesthetic and regenerative medicine; plant-derived exosomes for skin repair and anti-inflammatory modulation; biotherapeutic strategies for scar treatment and wound healing; regenerative protocols for post-laser and post-procedural skin recovery; skin complications associated with oncologic therapies and their management; evidence-based integration of injectables, energy-based devices, and regenerative agents

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Bank Komórek MCB, Małopolskie Centrum Biotechnologii, Uniwersytet Jagielloński, ul. Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
Interests: advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP); mesenchymal stem cells; keratinocytes; fibroblasts; chondrocytes; regenerative medicine; cell banking; burn treatment; chronic wound healing; autologous cell therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the expanding role of exosomes and biotherapeutic strategies in the treatment and regeneration of the skin across a wide spectrum of dermatologic conditions. As cell-free agents with regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, exosomes hold great promise for applications ranging from wound healing and scar remodeling to aesthetic skin rejuvenation and the management of inflammatory dermatoses. In recent years, their use has also gained attention in supporting skin recovery following energy-based procedures such as laser therapy.

Particular focus is also given to the role of exosomes in managing oncologic skin complications, including adverse cutaneous reactions caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies (e.g., EGFR and BRAF/MEK inhibitors), and immunotherapies. We invite original research articles, clinical case reports, and reviews that examine therapeutic mechanisms, safety, delivery strategies, and treatment outcomes. Interdisciplinary contributions from dermatology, oncology, and regenerative medicine are especially encouraged to foster integrated, patient-centered care models.

Keywords: Exosomes; dermatology; biotherapeutics; regenerative medicine; wound healing; aesthetic dermatology; skin complications; cancer therapy; laser-assisted recovery; translational skin therapy.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to:

  • Exosome-based approaches for skin regeneration, rejuvenation, and scar modulation;
  • Wound healing and post-procedural recovery (e.g., after laser or microneedling);
  • Management of inflammatory skin diseases using exosomes;
  • Treatment of oncologic skin complications caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy;
  • Clinical studies and real-world case series;
  • Advances in delivery systems and formulation of exosome-based therapeutics;
  • Safety, regulatory, and standardization considerations in dermatologic applications;
  • Interdisciplinary strategies bridging dermatology, oncology, and aesthetic medicine.

Dr. Lidia Majewska
Dr. Jacek M. Kijowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • exosomes
  • skin cancer
  • dermatological therapy
  • extracellular vesicles
  • biotherapeutics
  • regenerative medicine
  • nanomedicine
  • wound healing
  • cancer-related skin manifestations
  • dermatological drug delivery
  • wound healing therapeutics
  • cutaneous oncology
  • exosome-based therapy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

38 pages, 12524 KiB  
Article
Therapeutic Efficacy of Plant-Derived Exosomes for Advanced Scar Treatment: Quantitative Analysis Using Standardized Assessment Scales
by Lidia Majewska, Agnieszka Kondraciuk, Iwona Paciepnik, Agnieszka Budzyńska and Karolina Dorosz
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(8), 1103; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081103 - 25 Jul 2025
Abstract
Background: Wound healing and scar management remain significant challenges in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Recent advances in regenerative medicine have introduced plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) as potential therapeutic agents due to their bioactive properties. This study examines the clinical application of rose [...] Read more.
Background: Wound healing and scar management remain significant challenges in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Recent advances in regenerative medicine have introduced plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) as potential therapeutic agents due to their bioactive properties. This study examines the clinical application of rose stem cell exosomes (RSCEs) in combination with established treatments for managing different types of scars. Methods: A case series of four patients with different scar etiologies (dog bite, hot oil burn, forehead trauma, and facial laser treatment complications) was treated with RSCEs in combination with microneedling (Dermapen 4.0, 0.2–0.4 mm depth) and/or thulium laser therapy (Lutronic Ultra MD, 8–14 J), or as a standalone topical treatment. All cases underwent sequential treatments over periods ranging from two to four months, with comprehensive photographic documentation of the progression. The efficacy was assessed through clinical photography and objective evaluation using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), along with assessment of scar appearance, texture, and coloration. Results: All cases demonstrated progressive improvement throughout the treatment course. The dog bite scar showed significant objective improvement, with a 71% reduction in modified Vancouver Scar Scale score (from 7/13 to 2/13) and a 61% improvement in Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale scores after four combined treatments. The forehead trauma case exhibited similar outcomes, with a 71% improvement in mVSS score and 55–57% improvement in POSAS scores. The hot oil burn case displayed the most dramatic improvement, with a 78% reduction in mVSS score and over 70% improvement in POSAS scores, resulting in near-complete resolution without visible scarring. The facial laser complication case showed a 75% reduction in mVSS score and ~70% improvement in POSAS scores using only topical exosome application without device-based treatments. Clinical improvements across all cases included reduction in elevation, improved texture, decreased erythema, and better integration with surrounding skin. No adverse effects were reported in any of the cases. Conclusions: This preliminary case series suggests that plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles, specifically rose stem cell exosomes (RSCEs), may enhance scar treatment outcomes when combined with microneedling and laser therapy, or even as a standalone topical treatment. The documented objective improvements, measured by standardized scar assessment scales, along with clinical enhancements in scar appearance, texture, and coloration across different scar etiologies—dog bite, burn, traumatic injury, and iatrogenic laser damage—suggest that this approach may offer a valuable addition to the current armamentarium of scar management strategies. Notably, the successful treatment of laser-induced complications using only topical exosome application demonstrates the versatility and potential of this therapeutic modality. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop