Treatment of refractory and stable vitiligo by transplantation of in vitro cultured epidermal autografts bearing melanocytes

Abstract

Background: Previous reports demonstrated the usefulness of in vitro cultured epidermis for repigmenting vitiligo.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the potential of in vitro cultured epidermal sheets to treat extensive areas of intractable vitiligo.

Methods: In nine patients with long-standing, stable, and refractory vitiligo, autologous epidermis was cultured in vitro in H-MEM but without growth enhancers or hormones and transplanted onto previously denuded achromic lesions.

Results: Repigmentation was achieved to almost 100% in three subjects, 60% improvement was seen in two patients, and 30% to 40% in three additional cases. Only one patient had almost no response. Long-term observations in these patients indicate that repigmentation obtained by this method is permanent.

Conclusion: Transplantation of in vitro cultured epidermis bearing melanocytes is potentially effective to treat extensive areas of vitiligo, but this method is presently at an experimental stage.