The potential of RNA therapeutics in dermatology

Abstract

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapeutics hold great potential for the advancement of dermatological treatments due to, among other reasons, the possibility of treating previously undruggable targets, high specificity with minimal side effects, and ability to include multiple RNA targets in a single product. Although there have been research relating to RNA therapeutics for decades, there have not been many products translated for clinical use until recently. This may be because of challenges to the application of RNA therapeutics, including the dearth of effective modes of delivery to the target, and rapid degradation of RNA in the human body and environment. This article aims to provide insight on (1) the wide-ranging possibilities of RNA therapeutics in the field of dermatology as well as (2) how key challenges can be addressed, so as to encourage the development of novel dermatological treatments. We also share our experience on how RNA therapeutics have been applied in the management of hypertrophic and keloid scars.