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. 2017 May-Jun;92(3):312-318.
doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175700.

Evaluation of treatment response to autologous transplantation of noncultured melanocyte/keratinocyte cell suspension in patients with stable vitiligo

Mariana Gontijo Ramos  1   2 , Daniel Gontijo Ramos  3   2 , Camila Gontijo Ramos  2
Affiliations

Evaluation of treatment response to autologous transplantation of noncultured melanocyte/keratinocyte cell suspension in patients with stable vitiligo

Mariana Gontijo Ramos et al. An Bras Dermatol. 2017 May-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic disease characterized by the appearance of achromic macules caused by melanocyte destruction. Surgical treatments with melanocyte transplantation can be used for stable vitiligo cases.

Objectives: To evaluate treatment response to the autologous transplantation of noncultured epidermal cell suspension in patients with stable vitiligo.

Methods: Case series study in patients with stable vitiligo submitted to noncultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation and evaluated at least once, between 3 and 6 months after the procedure, to observe repigmentation and possible adverse effects. The maximum follow-up period for some patients was 24 months.

Results: Of the 20 patients who underwent 24 procedures, 25% showed an excellent rate of repigmentation, 50% good repigmentation, 15% regular, and 10% poor response. The best results were observed in face and neck lesions, while the worst in extremity lesions (88% and 33% of satisfactory responses, respectively). Patients with segmental vitiligo had a better response (84%) compared to non-segmental ones (63%). As side effects were observed hyperpigmentation of the treated area and the appearance of Koebner phenomenon in the donor area.

Study limitations: Some limitations of the study included the small number of patients, a subjective evaluation, and the lack of long-term follow-up on the results. CONCLUSION: Noncultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation is efficient and well tolerated for stable vitiligo treatment, especially for segmental vitiligo on the face and neck.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Evaluation of repigmentation for all cases. Excellent = ≥ 90%, Good = 50 to 89%, Regular = 20 to 49%, and Poor = < 20%
Figure 2
Figure 2
Evaluation of repigmentation in patients with segmental vitiligo (n=12) and non-segmental vitiligo (n=8). Excellent = ≥ 90%, Good = 50 to 89%, Regular = 20 to 49%, and Poor = < 20%
Figure 3
Figure 3
Patient with segmental vitiligo on the face. Before treatment (A), six months (B), and two years (C) after the treatment with noncul tured epidermal cell suspension transplantation
Figure 4
Figure 4
Patient with non-segmental vitiligo on the knee. Before treatment (A) and six months (B) after treatment with non-cultured epider mal cell suspension transplantation
Figure 5
Figure 5
Koebner phenomenon in the donor region (thigh) after treat ment with noncultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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