Efficacy of Cyclosporine After Autologous Noncultured Melanocyte Transplantation in Localized Stable Vitiligo-A Pilot, Open Label, Comparative Study

BACKGROUND Understanding the pathogenesis of vitiligo has lead to innovation of new drugs and new uses of the existing drugs to enhance treatment outcome. OBJECTIVE The aim of this observational pilot study was to assess the role of cyclosporine (CsA) to tackle the commonest aesthetic problem perilesional halo after autologous noncultured melanocyte-keratinocyte cell transplant (NCMKT) for localized, stable vitiligo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Of the total 50 enrolled patients who underwent NCMKT for stable/resistant vitiligo, aged 12 to 68 years (mean 29.92 years), 18 were male and 32 were female. Group I (n = 25) patients did not receive any postoperative treatment. Group II (n = 25) patients received CsA postoperatively at 3 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) for 3 weeks followed by 1.5 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) for 6 weeks. RESULTS In Group I, results were as follows: 28% (n = 7) achieved > 75% repigmentation, 16% (n = 4) achieved 50% to 75% repigmentation, 52% (n = 13) achieved 25% to 50% repigmentation, and 4% (n = 1) achieved < 25% repigmentation. In Group II, 100% (n = 25) achieved > 75% (median 90.7%) repigmentation post-NCMKT at the end of 6 months. CONCLUSION This new drug regimen using CsA resulted in rapid and uniform repigmentation without leaving any perilesional halo in Group II patients after NCMKT.