Autologous cell harvesting device provides repigmentation and improves quality-of-life for patients with stable vitiligo lesions in a large and diverse patient population
Recommended Citation
Pandya AG, Mahmoud BH, Huggins RH, Ganesan AK, Silverberg NB, Munavalli G, Weiss E, Zubair R, Lal K, Jensen JD, Skelsey MK, Ezra N, Siperstein R, Noell C, Grekin SK, and Hamzavi IH. Autologous Cell Harvesting Device Provides Repigmentation and Improves Quality-of-Life for Patients with Stable Vitiligo Lesions in a Large and Diverse Patient Population: A pre-post study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2025.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-28-2025
Publication Title
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Keywords
ASCS, RECELL, autologous cell harvesting device, autologous skin cell suspension, cellular grafting, melanocyte transplantation, noncultured skin cell suspension, procedural dermatology, repigmentation, vitiligo, vitiligo surgery
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The mental health burden associated with vitiligo can significantly impact patients' quality-of-life. Although successful for repigmentation of stable vitiligo, adoption of surgical melanocyte transplantation remains limited due to time and skilled-expertise requirements. A cell harvesting device prepares autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS) at point of care, simplifying the process.
OBJECTIVE: To confirm early and favorable repigmentation response and evaluate health-related quality-of-life changes following ASCS treatment of stable vitiligo.
METHODS: In this large (N = 107), prospective, multicenter study, vitiligo lesions were laser-ablated and received ASCS treatment followed by at-home phototherapy.
RESULTS: All Fitzpatrick skin types and major vitiligo subtypes were represented. Excellent repigmentation response (≥80%) was observed by week 4. By week-24, all lesions demonstrated improvement; 67% achieved >50% repigmentation, 42% achieved ≥80% repigmentation, and 8% achieved complete repigmentation. Vitiligo Noticeability Scale response was attained by 27.7% of lesions; 72.3% of patients reported treatment satisfaction. Significant improvement from baseline in Vitiligo Quality-of-Life Instrument (P < .05) was observed at week-24.
LIMITATIONS: No control.
CONCLUSIONS: The cell harvesting device provides a simplified, more accessible technique for melanocyte transplantation. ASCS is highly effective for repigmentation of stable vitiligo lesions, with positive patient-reported outcomes and improvement in quality-of-life, as demonstrated in this large, diverse population.
PubMed ID
40158537
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
