The Efficacy of Non-Cultured Epidermal Cell Suspension and Excimer Lamps Combination Therapy in Vitiligo: Results of 18 Months Follow-Up.

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Research on evaluating the efficacy of non-cultured epidermal cell suspension (NCECS) combined with excimer lamps for the treatment of vitiligo is currently unavailable. This research aims to evaluate the efficacy of this combination in treating vitiligo. A prospective, controlled study was conducted from November 2021 to January 2024. Patients with stable vitiligo were randomly assigned into groups 1 (NCECS combined with excimer lamps) or 2 (NCECS alone). All patients were followed up 18 months after the procedure. Treatment effectiveness and adverse events were recorded. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to groups 1 (30 patients) and 2 (30 patients). A total of 33.3% of patients in group 1 achieved 100% repigmentation, significantly higher than the 6.7% in group 2 (p-value = 0.021). Meanwhile, 63.3% of patients in group 1 achieved ≥ 90% repigmentation, higher than the 50% in group 2 but not statistically significant (p-value = 0.435). The mean time to initial repigmentation in group 1 (2.35 ± 0.575 weeks) was significantly shorter than in group 2 (2.72 ± 0.665 weeks) (p-value = 0.003). Both groups demonstrated a similar rate of good color match, but group 1 exhibited a lower incidence of the halo phenomenon. A total of 23.3% of patients in group 1 experienced mild erythema, which spontaneously resolved in a few days. The combination of NCECS and excimer lamps can substantially stimulate the onset of repigmentation and enhance 100% repigmentation compared to NCECS monotherapy. Excimer lamps may reduce the incidence of the halo phenomenon.