Reduction in inflammation in the footpad of carrageenan treated mice following the topical administration of anti-TNF molecules formulated in a micro-emulsion

Water-in-oil micro-emulsions (ME) have been shown to have the ability to deliver water-soluble peptides and proteins into the skin. Topical administration of these formulations represents an ideal means of device-free delivery of these pharmaceutical agents. Topically administered anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) monoclonal antibodies formulated within a water-in-oil micro-emulsion were found to have similar pharmaceutical activity to control formulations that were administered by injection. This form of delivery presents itself as an exciting, pain-free and device-free delivery system for administration of protein pharmaceuticals and as such has enormous potential for the delivery of peptides and protein into the dermal layer of the skin. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.