Characterization of the In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo Efficacy of the Antimicrobial Peptide DPK-060 for Topical Treatment

The study investigated the antimicrobial peptide DPK-060 for treating skin infections, particularly in atopic dermatitis patients. DPK-060 showed broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, including MRSA, and was tested in various formulations like poloxamer gel and lipid nanocapsules (LNCs). A clinical phase II trial with a 1% DPK-060 ointment significantly reduced microbial density in skin lesions after 14 days, with good tolerance. In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models demonstrated that DPK-060 in poloxamer gel and LNCs effectively reduced bacterial survival, with LNCs and monolaurin-LNCs showing superior efficacy compared to cubosomes. However, encapsulating DPK-060 in nanocarriers did not enhance its efficacy. The study concluded that DPK-060-loaded LNCs and ML-LNCs in poloxamer gel were effective for topical antimicrobial therapy, though the use of nanocarriers did not provide additional benefits. The study's design was limited by a single administration and short follow-up.