Therapeutic efficacy of autologous cultured melanocyte transplantation in the treatment of vitiligo among patients with isomorphic response at donor sites and its relevant factors

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of transplantation of autologous cultured pure melanocytes (TACM) in the treatment of vitiligo among patients with isomorphic response at donor sites, and to analyze its relevant factors. Methods A total of 1 685 patients with vitiligo were subjected to TACM. After 6-month follow-up, correlations were evaluated between isomorphic response at donor sites and the therapeutic efficacy of TACM, and factors associated with the therapeutic efficacy were analyzed. Results Of the 1 685 patients subjected to TACM, 75 (4.5%) had isomorphic response at the donor site. Among 75 patients with isomorphic response, 13 (17.3%) achieved 90%-100% repigmentation, and 23 (30.7%) achieved 50%-90% repigmentation. However, among the 1 610 patients without isomorphic response, 865 (53.7%) achieved 90%-100% repigmentation, and 1 376 (85.5%) achieved 50%-90% repigmentation. Fisher's exact probability test showed that the recovery rate and response rate were both significantly lower in the patients with isomorphic response than those without (P 48 months than in those with the duration of stable phase being 12-48 months, in patients aged ≤ 12 years than in those aged ≥ 18 years, in patients with segmental vitiligo than in those with non-segmental vitiligo, in patients with the recipient site on the face and trunk than in those with the recipient site on the limb, as well as in patients with total area of depigmented lesions ≤ 100 cm2 than in those with total area of depigmented lesions > 100 cm2 (all P < 0.05) . Conclusion Patients with isomorphic response show poor response to TACM, which may be associated with the duration of stable phase, patients' age, types of vitiligo, recipient sites and total area of depigmented lesions. Key words: Vitiligo; Cell transplantation; Melanocytes; Koebner phenomenon