Flashlamp Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) Suppression of Keloid Proliferation Through Down-Regulation of TGF-β1 Expression and Extracellular Matrix Expression

Background and Objectives: Keloids have been treated with flashlamp pulsed dye lasers (PDLs) with good results. We investigated whether PDL treatments induced keloid regression by decreasing growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induction, thereby reducing fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Clinical evaluation and photography documented keloid height/texture, erythema, and pliability before and after PDL treatments scheduled at 2-month intervals in 30 patients. Fluence per pulse was 10-18 J/cm² (mean 14.0 J/cm²). Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of TGF-β₁, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and collagen (types I and III) in extra-cellular matrix was performed on 10 intra-lesional or punch biopsies obtained before and 7 days after PDL treatments. Results: Twelve months after final PDL treatments, keloid regression (≥50%) had occurred in 26/30 patients in whom erythema and surface irregularities had been reduced and pliability had been increased. In 4/30 patients, no changes in keloids had occurred after 12 months. Multiple treatments (> 6) yielded better results than fewer treatments: 79% versus 50%, respectively. Marked keloid regression (≥90%) occurred in two patients who had received more than 10 treatments. IHC staining indicated that expression of TGF-β₁, PCNA and collagen type III, but not type I, was significantly reduced in keloid fibroblasts after PDL irradiation. Conclusions: Keloids regressed following PDL-induced reduction in TGF-β₁ expression, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen type III deposition. More than six PDL treatments at 2-month intervals provided the best results.