ICELANDIC RESEARCH DEVELOPING MEDICATIONS TO TREAT ORAL MUCOSAL CONDITIONS
OBJECTIVES – Reviewing Icelandic research in the develop-ment of topical medications for treating specific oral mucosal conditions.
METHODS – Many oral mucosal problems require long-term treatments. Clinical resistance and patient intolerance of such treatments may develop. This research has developed new formulations for topical treatments of oral mucosal con-ditions and carried out some appropriate clinical trials. Much of this research has been to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase activity using topical doxycycline, initially to treat aphthous ulceration. The anti-microbial compound, monocaprin, was also tested for activity against herpes virus and, in combina-tion with doxycycline, was developed for treating cold sores. Anti-candidal activity of monocaprin was also evaluated for treating denture stomatitis.
RESULTS – The results of these clinical studies have been promising when compared to the conventional treatments.
CONCLUSIONS – This research has developed improved local drug treatments for some oral mucosal conditions. Commer-cial possibilities have not yet been developed.