Efficacy of suction blister epidermal grafting with concomitant phototherapy in vitiligo treatment

Etiopathogenesis and Emerging Methods for Treatment of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an acquired chronic depigmenting disorder of skin. It is mostly asymptomatic and characterized by amelanotic macules and patches that affects 0.5% to 2% of the world's population. The etiology of vitiligo has not been clearly elucidated and multiple theories have been proposed regarding the causes of the disorder. Among the most prevalent theories, the genetic predisposition, oxidative stress theory, promotion of cellular stress and pathologic influence of lymphocytes T have been highlighted. As a result of increases in in-depth knowledge concerning the pathogenetic processes in vitiligo, we review the most recent information concerning its etiopathogenesis and treatment methods including topical and oral Janus kinase inhibitors, prostaglandins and their analogues, namely afamelanotide, Wnt/β-catenin-signaling agonists and cell-based therapies. Topical ruxolitinib has been registered for vitiligo treatment, whereas other agents as oral ritlecitinib, afamelanotide and latanoprost have been studied in ongoing clinical trials. New highly effective therapeutic strategies may be developed thanks to molecular and genetic studies.

Management of Stable Vitiligo-A Review of the Surgical Approach

At present, vitiligo is the most common depigmenting skin disorder, characterized by clearly demarcated discolored patches of various shapes and sizes. Depigmentation results from the initial dysfunction and subsequent destruction of melanin-producing cells, called melanocytes, which are located in the basal layer of the epidermis and in hair follicles. This review concludes that the extent of repigmentation, regardless of the treatment method, is greatest in stable localized vitiligo patients. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the clinical evidence for which the vitiligo treatment method (cellular or tissue) is more effective. The treatment relies on multiple factors, ranging from patient skin predisposition for repigmentation to the experience of the facility performing the procedure. Vitiligo is a significant problem in modern society. Although it is a typically asymptomatic and not life-threatening disease, it may have significant psychological and emotional impacts. Standard treatment relies on pharmacotherapy and phototherapy; however, the treatment of patients with stable vitiligo varies. The stability of vitiligo more than often implies the exhaustion of the potential for skin self-repigmentation. Thus, the surgical methods that distribute normal melanocytes into the skin are crucial elements of these patients' therapy. The most commonly used methods are described in the literature, with an indication of their recent progress and changes. In addition, information on the efficiency of the individual methods at specific locations is compiled in this study, and the prognostic factors indicating repigmentation are presented. Cellular methods are the best therapeutic option for large-sized lesions; although they are more exorbitant than tissue methods, they benefit from more rapid healing times and presenting fewer side effects. Dermoscopy is a valuable tool used to assess the further course of repigmentation, where it is of great value to evaluate the patient prior to and following an operation.

Surgical Treatment of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is described as a dermatological condition characterized by pigmentation disorders in both the skin and mucous membranes. Clinically, this disease is characterized by the presence of well-defined white areas of various shapes and sizes, which are a manifestation of a reduced number of melanocytes. Due to the fact that vitiligo can be a significant cosmetic problem for patients, a number of methods are currently available to help fight for a better skin appearance. If all the available non-invasive procedures turn out to be ineffective, surgery can help, which is a very good alternative in the case of difficult-to-treat but stable changes. Both the development of new techniques and modifications to the already available treatment of cell and tissue transplantation give hope to numerous patients around the world. The effectiveness of a particular method is determined by its appropriate selection depending on the lesions undergoing therapy. Each form of surgical intervention has its advantages and disadvantages, which, along with the location or size of the treated hypopigmentation area, should be analyzed by a doctor and discussed with their patient. This article is an overview of the currently available methods of surgical treatment of vitiligo and a comparison of their pros and cons.

Surgical Interventions for Patients With Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Surgical interventions are a key part of the therapeutic arsenal, especially in refractory and stable vitiligo. Comparison of treatment outcomes between the different surgical procedures and their respective adverse effects has not been adequately studied.

Objective

To investigate the reported treatment response following different surgical modalities in patients with vitiligo.

Data Sources

A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from the date of database inception to April 18, 2020, was conducted. The key search terms used were vitiligo, surgery, autologous, transplantation, punch, suction blister, and graft.

Study Selection

Of 1365 studies initially identified, the full texts of 358 articles were assessed for eligibility. A total of 117 studies were identified in which punch grafting (n = 19), thin skin grafting (n = 10), suction blister grafting (n = 29), noncultured epidermal cell suspension (n = 45), follicular cell suspension (n = 9), and cultured epidermal cell suspension (n = 17) were used.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Three reviewers independently extracted data on study design, patients, intervention characteristics, and outcomes. Random effects meta-analyses using generic inverse-variance weighting were performed.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were the rates of greater than 90%, 75%, and 50% repigmentation response. These rates were calculated by dividing the number of participants in an individual study who showed the corresponding repigmentation by the total number of participants who completed the study. The secondary outcomes were the factors associated with treatment response to the surgical intervention.

Results

Among the 117 unique studies and 8776 unique patients included in the analysis, rate of repigmentation of greater than 90% for surgical interventions was 52.69% (95% CI, 46.87%-58.50%) and 45.76% (95% CI, 30.67%-60.85%) for punch grafting, 72.08% (95% CI, 54.26%-89.89%) for thin skin grafting, 61.68% (95% CI, 47.44%-75.92%) for suction blister grafting, 47.51% (95% CI, 37.00%-58.03%) for noncultured epidermal cell suspension, 36.24% (95% CI, 18.92%-53.57%) for noncultured follicular cell suspension, and 56.82% (95% CI, 48.93%-64.71%) for cultured epidermal cell suspension. The rate of repigmentation of greater than 50% after any surgical intervention was 81.01% (95% CI, 78.18%-83.84%). In meta-regression analyses, the treatment response was associated with patient age (estimated slope, -1.1418), subtype of vitiligo (estimated slope, 0.3047), and anatomical sites (estimated slope, -0.4050).

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that surgical intervention can be an effective option for refractory stable vitiligo. An appropriate procedure should be recommended based on patient age, site and size of the lesion, and costs.

Study on the Use of Microbial Cellulose as a Biocarrier for 1,3-Dihydroxy-2-Propanone and Its Potential Application in Industry

Can microbial cellulose (MC) be used as a bio-carrier for 1,3-dihydroxy-2-propanone (DHA)? The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of using MC as a biomaterial for DHA transferring into the stratum corneum and inducing changes in skin color. The MC patches were obtained from Gluconacetobacter xylinus strain and incubated in solutions with various concentrations of DHA (g·L⁻¹: 20; 50; 80; 110) at 22 °C for 24 h. Afterwards; the patches were applied onto the skin for 15, 30, or 60 min. Skin color changes were assessed visually compared to a control patches without DHA. The intensity of skin color was increasing with the increase of DHA concentration and time of patches application. Application of MC patches with DHA (50 g·L⁻¹) for 30 min ensured the color which was considered the closest to the desired natural tan effect. MC patches containing DHA can be biocarriers enabling DHA transport into the stratum corneum and causing skin color changes. Study results indicate a new possibility for industrial applications of MC; e.g., as a biocarrier in masking the symptoms of vitiligo or production of self-tanning agents in the form of masks.