Treatment of Partial-Thickness Burn Wounds with Combined Advanced Therapies: Cultured Allogenic Keratinocyte and Epidermal Growth Factor

Background: Cultured allogenic keratinocyte (CAK) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are commonly used biological treatments for partial-thickness burn wounds. A comparative study was conducted on whether the combination therapy of CAK and EGF promotes partial-thick-ness burn wound healing. Methods: From January 2020 to March 2021, 73 patients who visited the hospital with partial-thickness burns were enrolled in the study. Patients were treated with CAK (Kaloderm) (n=20), EGF (Easyef) (n=17), and CAK+EGF (n=24). Wound healing rate, time to heal, factors affecting wound healing (age, sex, underlying disease, mode of injury, location of injury, initial wound size), and scarring were comparatively analyzed. Results: The wound healing rate for 20 days was 85% (17/20) in the CAK group, 88% (15/17) in the EGF group, and 92% (22/24) in the CAK+EGF group. The average healing time was 11.0±6.0 days, with the CAK group taking 12.6±5.5 days, EGF group taking 11.5±6.0 days, and CAK+EGF group taking 9.0±6.3 days. The patients who received CAK+EGF treatment had higher hazard than the patients without CAK+EGF treatment (hazard ratio, 2.078; 95% confidence interval, 1.021–4.228). Smaller wound size <5 cm² (hazard ratio, 2.869; 95% confidence interval, 1.426–5.773) was associated with complete wound healing. Though statistically insignificant (P=0.218), less scars occurred in the CAK+EGF group. Conclusion: Combination therapy of CAK and EGF promotes wound healing in partial-thickness burn wounds.