Can collagen metabolism be controlled: theoretical considerations.

Pharmacologic alterations of the inflammatory response and collagen metabolism will lead to control of the many disease states of fibrosis. Many of these diseases kill and cripple far more than hypertrophic scar. Far too little research is being directed in this area. The objectives of controlling fibrosis by interfering with collagen crosslinking were defined clearly by Peacock. Perhaps topical BAPN will be the first agent to bring a practical clinical reality to his predictions made over 20 years ago.