@Article{info:doi/10.2196/resprot.4036,
author="Chan, Shu Wing Sophia",
title="Interleukin 2 Topical Cream for Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: Experiment Protocol",
journal="JMIR Res Protoc",
year="2015",
month="Aug",
day="14",
volume="4",
number="3",
pages="e89",
keywords="type 1 diabetes; topical cream; chronic wound healing; immunotherapy; IL-2",
abstract="Background: It is estimated there are 2.9 million diabetic patients in the United Kingdom, and around 5{\%}-7{\%} of patients have diabetic ulcers. This number will continue to increase globally. Diabetic ulcers are a major economic burden on the healthcare system. More than {\textsterling}650 million is spent on foot ulcers or amputations each year, and up to 100 people a week have a limb amputated due to diabetes.  In T1DM, the level of IL-2 is reduced, and hence, wound healing is in a prolonged inflammatory phase. It is not known if IL-2 topical cream can shorten the healing process in T1DM patients. Objective: The objective of this study is to understand the pathophysiology in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and investigate possible future treatment based on its clinical features. The hypothesis is that IL-2 cream can speed up wound healing in NOD mice and that this can be demonstrated in a ten-week study. An experiment protocol is designed in a mouse model for others to conduct the experiment. The discussion is purely based on diabetic conditions; lifestyle influences like smoking and drinking are not considered. Methods: Skin incisions will be created on 20 nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, and IL-2 topical cream will be applied in a 10-week study to prove the hypothesis. Mice will be randomly and equally divide into two groups with one being the control group. Results: T1DM patients have a decreased number of T regulatory (Treg) cells and interleukin 2 (IL-2). These are the keys to the disease progression and delay in wound healing. Diabetic ulcer is a chronic wound and characterized by a prolonged inflammatory phase. Conclusions: If the experiment is successful, T1DM patients will have an alternative, noninvasive treatment of foot ulcers. In theory, patients with other autoimmune diseases could also use IL-2 topical cream for treatment. ",
issn="1929-0748",
doi="10.2196/resprot.4036",
url="http://www.researchprotocols.org/2015/3/e89/",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/resprot.4036",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26276522"
}