J. Cosmet. Sci., 63, 223–224 (May/June 2012) 223 Book Review TRANSDERMAL AND INTRADERMAL DELIVERY OF THERAPEUTIC AGENTS: APPLICATION OF PHYSICAL TECH- NOLOGIES, by Ajay K. Banga (CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2011). Price: $129.95. 306 pp. (incl. 8 pages of color plates). In the preface to this book, Professor Banga characterizes it as an introduction to various technologies for enhancing delivery to (and through) the skin with a description of unique applications and commercializa- tion. The primary focus is transdermal de- livery, but some of the techniques can also be used for intradermal delivery. The fi rst chapter is an introduction to percutaneous absorption. It begins with an overview of skin structure and enzymatic activity. This is followed by a brief discus- sion of percutaneous absorption theory and mechanisms and an outline of passive and active enhancement strategies. Chapter 2 is entitled “Experimental Methods and Tools for Transdermal De- livery by Physical Enhancement Methods.” In vitro models and methods ate empha- sized. Various types of diffusion cells are described. Certain technical aspects and causes of variability in diffusion studies are described. The chapter ends with a review of instrumental methods useful in moni- toring skin conditions and the delivery of actives. These include TEWL, confocal microscopy, impedance spectroscopy, high- frequency ultrasound, and laser Doppler measurement. The next four chapters provide in-depth reviews of specifi c technologies. Chapter 3 covers microporation, the generation of microscopic openings to facilitate delivery through the stratum corneum. Most of the chapter deals with microneedle devices, but ablation by heat and lasers is also men- tioned. The subject of Chapter 4 is iontophore- sis, the use of small electric currents to deliver actives topically. The treatment is comprehensive, covering theory and a num- ber of practical examples. The technique can be applied to intradermal as well as transdermal applications. Larger voltages are employed in electro- poration, described in detail in Chapter 5. Some of its potential applications include gene therapy and cancer chemotherapy. It seems particularly appropriate for the de- livery of large molecules with very low pas- sive skin permeability. Chapter 6 deals with sonophoresis, the use of ultrasonic sound to increase topical drug delivery. There have been fewer stud- ies with this technique than with those covered in earlier chapters, but several in vitro and clinical studies have shown positive results. The various techniques are compared in Chapter 7, which also in- cludes case studies illustrating potential applications. Among the compounds de- scribed in the case studies are lidocaine, fentanyl, acyclovir, methotrexate, insulin, and nonsteroidal anti-infl ammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE 224 Chapter 8 is a review of the use of phys- ical methods in the transdermal delivery of peptides and proteins. This is followed by a chapter describing experience with immu- nization by topical administration, using physical methods to enhance delivery. The fi nal chapter describes commercial devel- opment, and provides information about products under development as well as marketed products. Each chapter contains an extensive lit- erature review. A person interested in any of the physical methods described would fi nd this book an excellent source to gain perspective and a general understanding of the technique’s applications and limita- tions. The treatments of iontophoresis and microneedles are particularly complete. Although this book emphasizes drug delivery rather than cosmetic applications, some of the physical methods may be use- ful in the development of products for cos- metic treatment.—JOEL ZATZ—Rutgers University.