Independent studies by Ghahary et al.⁴ and Arakawa et al.⁵ have indicated that there is a decreased expression of collagenase in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.

  The clinical study reported here suggests a decreased incidence of hypertrophic scar formation in the partial-thickness burn wound with the application of topical collagenase to the wound. The use of collagenase should be considered for management of the partial-thickness burn wound because of this decrease in hypertrophic scar formation. However, a prospective study is needed to confirm these findings as well as to define a mechanism for the effects of collagenase on scarring.

References

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2. Hansbrough JF, Achauer B, Dawson J, et al. Wound healing in partial-thickness burn wounds treated with collagenase ointment versus silver sulfadiazine cream. J Burn Care Rehabil. 1995;16(3 Pt 1):241–247.

3. Garner WL. Epidermal regulation of dermal fibroblast activity. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998;102(1):135–139.

4. Ghahary A, Shen YJ, Nedelec B, Wang R, Scott PG, Tredget EE. Collagenase production is lower in post-burn hypertrophic scar fibroblasts than in normal fibroblasts and is reduced by insulin-like growth factor-1. J Invest Dermatol<.i>. 1996;106(3):476–481.

5. Arakawa M, Hatamochi A, Mori Y, Mori K, Ueki H, Moriguchi T. Reduced collagenase gene expression in fibroblasts from hypertrophic scar tissue. Br J Dermatol. 1996;134(5):863–868.