ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Management of alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is often challenging as patients may be resistant to currently available modalities of treatment. The use of stem cells may be a novel option for resistant cases. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the use of autologous bone marrow derived mononuclear cells (including stem cells) as compared to follicular stems cells for the management of resistant cases of AA and AGA. METHODS: This study included 40 patients (20 AA patients and 20 AGA patients), all patients were treated with a single session of intradermal injection of autologous stem cells (SCs) therapy. They were divided into four groups according to the applied modality [either autologous bone marrow derived mononuclear cells (bone marrow mononuclear cells [BMMCs] or autologous follicular stem cells [FSC]). RESULTS: Six months after stem cell therapy (SCT) injection, there was a significant improvement, confirmed by immunostaining and digital dermoscopy. The mean improvement in all groups was "very good". There was no significant difference between both methods in either type of alopecia. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Autologous BMMCs and FSC seem to be a safe tolerable and effective treatment for the management of both resistant AA and AGA.
Subject(s)
Alopecia Areata/therapy , Alopecia/therapy , Stem Cell Transplantation , Adolescent , Adult , Alopecia/pathology , Alopecia Areata/pathology , Bone Marrow Cells/cytology , Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy , Child , Dermoscopy , Female , Hair Follicle/cytology , Humans , Injections, Intradermal , Male , Middle Aged , Stem Cells/cytology , Transplantation, Autologous , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Acne scar is a very distressing and difficult problem for physicians and patients. Management of cutaneous scarring from acne can be challenging and confusing. The available modalities may be effective, having considerable morbidity and long downtime. Besides, they may not have the same efficacy in different skin types or acne scar types. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of autologous bone marrow (BM) stem cells (SCs) in treating atrophic acne scars. METHODS: Fourteen patients with moderate to severe atrophic acne scars were included. All patients were subjected to single session of autologous BMSCs therapy. Each patient received 5 µg/kg/day granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as a single subcutaneous dose for 2 successive days before BM aspiration. The SC-containing solution was injected under each scar intradermally. The scars of the patients were clinically assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively before and after 6 months. The patients were given a preformed questionnaire Cardiff acne disability index (CADI) before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 6 months of the injection, there was significant improvement in the qualitative grading, quantitative grading and CADI scores. All types of scars showed significant improvement. No significant adverse effects were reported in any patient. CONCLUSION: Autologous BMSCs seem to be a safe and effective treatment option for the management of all types of atrophic facial acne scars.
