Transplantation of melanocytes in vitiligo

We report the results of a study on 100 patients (aged 12-68) with vitiligo, who were treated by transplantation of cultured autologous melanocytes to the depigmented areas, after removal of the epidermis at the recipient site by dermabrasion. The melanocytes were cultured from a 2 x 3 cm2 superficial shave biopsy taken from pigmented buttock skin. After 2-3 weeks in culture, 700-1000 cells per mm2 were applied on 60-500 cm2 dermabraded areas, and occluded for 1 week. The repigmented portion of the total treated area amounted to 95-100% in 40 patients, 65-94% in 32, 20-64% in 22, and 0-19% in six. It was more difficult to achieve complete pigmentation on the fingers, elbows and knees. In the first few months following the procedure, the treated areas were often hypo- or hyperpigmented, but after 6-8 months they had acquired the same colour as the surrounding skin. No scarring or other side-effects occurred. The donor site had repigmented after 3-6 months in all but two patients, who also showed poor pigmentation in the transplanted areas. At follow-up after 1 and 2 years in 50 and 10 patients, respectively, the repigmented areas remained unchanged. The method is time-consuming, but the results obtained indicate that the procedure can be valuable in motivated patients, when the extent of vitiligo does not exceed 30% of the total body area, and when the areas to be treated are not actively extending.