Antimicrobial peptides, novel solution for the treatment of precancerous disease acne - A review

Acne is one of the most common epithelial diseases affecting approximately 80% of the world's population between the ages of 16 and 35. It is caused by multiple factors such as genetic predisposition and hormonal alteration including growth factor IGF-I, among others. Acne being related to IGF-I expression, is involved in possible apparition of malignant diseases. The pathology of acne is limited to the pilosebaceous unit. The evolution is governed by the increase in colonization of the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Acne is clinically manifested by the appearance of comedones with a tendency to inflammation. Finally causes scarring damaging self-esteem and quality of life of those who suffer it. As proposed therapies, external treatments have been developed such as inhibitors of IGF-I among others. As an internal treatment, the innate response of the patient's immune system to the presence of an invading microorganism has been studied, highlighting anti-microbial peptides as the host's own defense molecules. This work shows a compilation of the most relevant and current antimicrobial peptides that could be used as potential therapeutic agents against microorganisms located in the skin and related to acne disease. *Correspondence to: D.M. Gomez, Faculty of Sciences, Dept. Chemistry, Univ. Nacional, Bogotá D.C., Colombia, E-mail: dimgomezmo@unal.edu.co J. Trojan, ICGT, Cll 128 b, Kr 18-11, Bogotá D.C., Colombia, E-mail: genetherapy@hotmail.fr