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Cyclosporine shows efficacy as post-transplant treatment for vitiligo

A postoperative drug regimen including cyclosporine after autologous noncultured melanocyte-keratinocyte cell transplant resulted in rapid and uniform repigmentation without any perilesional halo in patients with localized, stable vitiligo, according to study results published in Dermatologic Surgery.

Researchers studied 50 patients (mean age, 29.92 years; 32 females) who underwent autologous noncultured melanocyte-keratinocyte cell transplant for stable or resistant vitiligo at two dermatology centers in India. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 25 patients each. Group 1 did not receive any postoperative treatment, and group 2 received postoperative cyclosporine at 3 mg.kg^–1 d^–1 for 3 weeks, then 1.5 mg.kg^–1 d^–1 for 6 weeks.

All patients were reviewed at 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after surgery.

In the group receiving no postoperative treatment, 28% of patients achieved greater than 75% repigmentation; 16% of patients achieved 50% to 75% repigmentation; 52% of patients achieved 25% to 50% repigmentation; and 4% of patients achieved less than 25% repigmentation.

In the group receiving postoperative cyclosporine, 100% of patients achieved greater than 75% repigmentation (median, 90.7%) 24 weeks after surgery.

“The new treatment protocol used in this pilot study resulted in rapid and uniform repigmentaiton in patients treated with [cyclosporine], without any perilesional halo,” the researchers concluded. “This study indicates that [cyclosporine] is useful in achieving uniform and complete repigmentation of stable patches of vitiligo after [noncultured melanocyte-keratinocyte cell transplant], giving a perfect blend with surrounding skin and acceptable aesthetic results.” – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.