Consensus on the treatment of vitiligo - Brazilian Society of Dermatology

Abstract Background: Vitiligo is a muco-cutaneous, autoimmune, localized, or disseminated disease, which manifests through hypochromic or achromic macules, with loss in quality of life. The prevalence of vitiligo in Brazil was determined to be 0.54%. There is no on-label medication for its treatment. To date, no Brazilian consensus on the treatment of vitiligo had been written. Objectives: The objective of this group of Brazilian dermatologists with experience in the treatment of this disease was to reach a consensus on the clinical and surgical treatment of vitiligo, based on articles with the best scientific evidence. Methods: Seven dermatologists were invited, and each was assigned two treatment modalities to review. Each treatment (topical, systemic, and phototherapy) was reviewed by three experts. Two experts reviewed the surgical treatment. Subsequently, the coordinator compiled the different versions and drafted a text about each type of treatment. The new version was returned to all experts, who expressed their opinions and made suggestions for clarity. The final text was written by the coordinator and sent to all participants to prepare the final consensus. Results/Conclusion: The experts defined the following as standard treatments of vitiligo: the use of topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors for localized and unstable cases; corticosteroid minipulse in progressive generalized vitiligo; narrowband UVB phototherapy for extensive forms of the disease. Surgical modalities should be indicated for segmental and stable generalized vitiligo. Topical and systemic anti-JAK drugs are being tested, with promising results.

Evaluation of treatment response to autologous transplantation of noncultured melanocyte/keratinocyte cell suspension in patients with stable vitiligo

Abstract Background: Vitiligo is a chronic disease characterized by the appearance of achromic macules caused by melanocyte destruction. Surgical treatments with melanocyte transplantation can be used for stable vitiligo cases. Objectives: To evaluate treatment response to the autologous transplantation of noncultured epidermal cell suspension in patients with stable vitiligo. Methods: Case series study in patients with stable vitiligo submitted to noncultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation and evaluated at least once, between 3 and 6 months after the procedure, to observe repigmentation and possible adverse effects. The maximum follow-up period for some patients was 24 months. Results: Of the 20 patients who underwent 24 procedures, 25% showed an excellent rate of repigmentation, 50% good repigmentation, 15% regular, and 10% poor response. The best results were observed in face and neck lesions, while the worst in extremity lesions (88% and 33% of satisfactory responses, respectively). Patients with segmental vitiligo had a better response (84%) compared to non-segmental ones (63%). As side effects were observed hyperpigmentation of the treated area and the appearance of Koebner phenomenon in the donor area. Study limitations: Some limitations of the study included the small number of patients, a subjective evaluation, and the lack of long-term follow-up on the results. CONCLUSION: Noncultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation is efficient and well tolerated for stable vitiligo treatment, especially for segmental vitiligo on the face and neck.

Non-cultured melanocyte/keratinocyte transplantation for the treatment of stable vitiligo on the face: report of two cases / Transplante de suspensao celular de melanocitos/queratinocitos para o tratamento de vitiligo estavel na face: relato de dois casos

There are many alternatives to treat vitiligo, including surgical procedures, which are recommended for patients resistant to other therapies. The melanocyte/keratinocyte transplantation consists in the separation of epidermal cells obtained from a donor site and spreading these cells on the depigmented and dermabraded recipient area. Two patients were submitted to transplantation, showing more than 70% repigmentation in the treated areas after four months, both with excellent degree of satisfaction. The method requires some laboratory skills, but represents a simple and safe procedure.

Existem várias alternativas para o tratamento do vitiligo, incluindo procedimentos cirúrgicos, que são indicados para pacientes refratários aos outros tipos de tratamento. O transplante de suspensão celular de melanócitos/queratinócitos consiste na separação de células da epiderme obtidas de área doadora, e aplicação destas células na área receptora despigmentada, após dermoabrasão. Dois pacientes com vitiligo estável foram submetidos ao transplante de suspensão de melanócitos/queratinócitos, apresentando repigmentação acima de 70% nas áreas tratadas após quatro meses, ambos com excelente grau de satisfação. O método requer alguma habilidade laboratorial, mas representa um procedimento simples e seguro.

Dermatofibrossarcoma protuberans: localização não usual e a importância da cirurgia micrográfica de Mohs / Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: atypical location and the importance of Mohs micrographic surgery

O dermatofibrossarcoma protuberans é neoplasia de células fusiformes de malignidade intermediária, mas que apresenta alto risco de recidivas locais. Acomete principalmente tronco e membros, sendo raro na face. O tratamento do tumor pode ser feito com cirurgia convencional com amplas margens cirúrgicas ou cirurgia micrográfica de Mohs. Em casos selecionados pode-se indicar radioterapia e quimioterapia. Relata-se o caso de paciente do sexo masculino, de 39 anos, apresentando na fronte pápula amarelada de 0,7 cm, cujas biópsia e imuno-histoquímica confirmaram o diagnóstico desse tumor. A lesão foi tratada através da cirurgia micrográfica de Mohs com bom resultado estético.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a spindle cell neoplasm of intermediate malignancy, nonetheless it presents a high risk of local recurrence. It mainly affects the trunk and limbs, and is rare on the face. The treatment of the tumor can be carried out using conventional surgery with wide surgical margins or Mohs micrographic surgery. Radiation and chemotherapy can be indicated in selected cases. The present article reports the case of a 39-year-old male patient with a 0.7cm yellowish papule on the forehead, whose biopsy and immunohistochemistry confirmed the tumor's diagnosis. The lesion was treated through Mohs micrographic surgery with good aesthetic results.

Terapia fotodinâmica para tratamento de múltiplas lesões no couro cabeludo na síndrome do nevobasocelular: relato de caso / Photodynamic therapy for treatment of multiple lesions on the scalp in nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome: case report

A terapia fotodinâmica é uma alternativa eficaz de tratamento para neoplasias cutâneas não melanoma e tem como princípio a utilização de substâncias fotossensibilizantes que, após serem irradiadas com uma fonte de luz de comprimento de onda adequado, destroem seletivamente as células neoplásicas. A Síndrome do Nevobasocelular é uma genodermatose que cursa com o desenvolvimento de inúmeros carcinomas basocelulares em uma idade precoce, submetendo os pacientes a vários procedimentos cirúrgicos, muitas vezes desfigurantes. Este artigo tem como objetivo demonstrar o excelente resultado do tratamento de carcinomas basocelulares no couro cabeludo de uma paciente com a Síndrome do Nevobasocelular.

Photodynamic therapy is an effective alternative for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer, selectively destroying the neoplastic cells through the use of photosensitizer substances that are irradiated with a source of light of adequate wave length. Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome is a genodermatosis characterized by multiples basal cell carcinomas occurring at an early age, compelling patients to various surgeries, some of them disfiguring. The aim of this article is to show the excellent result of the treatment of multiple basal cell carcinomas on the scalp of a patient suffering from Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome.