DFO treatment decreased pressure ulcer formation and lessened the grade of ulceration. Pressure ulcers treated with DFO also demonstrated increased CD31 expression, suggesting that DFO treatment enhanced neovascularization. Cell death via a TUNEL assay was also significantly decreased in the treatment group relative to control. Results suggested overall that DFO may be effective in preventing and treating pressure ulcers in elderly patients. The gene discussed is PECAM1; the disease is decubitus ulcer.