A stand alone autologous cell harvesting device - treatment for Vitiligo?

ReCell^® is a novel single-use medical device developed as an 'off the shelf' kit for harvesting autologous skin cells taken from a thin split thickness biopsy. The process provides an immediate cell population composed of keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts and Langerhans cells harvested from the epidermal-dermal junction for delivery onto the wound surface in order to promote effective wound healing. ReCell^® has been used to treat smaller wounds such as small burns and scalds, donor sites, glabrous injuries, congenital nevi, hypopigmentation, chronic wounds and prophylactically in cosmetic rejuvenation procedures. The procedure is simple. Once processed, the cell suspension is available for immediate use and can cover a wound many times the area of the donor biopsy. As the ReCell^® device enables cell processing at the site of treatment without the use of specialised laboratory staff, the process is both cost and time efficient.

Our interest in ReCell^® stems from its ability to enable melanocyte repopulation which may result in the reintroduction of pigmentation into hypopigmented skin such as in hypopigmented scars, iatrogenic hypopigmentation and Vitiligo. At St George Hospital (NSW, Australia), we are currently conducting a randomized double blind study comparing ReCell^® versus minigrafting for patients with stable vitiligo who have previously failed medical treatment. My co-investigators include Dr. John Le Guay and Dr. Richard Wittal of the Skin & Cancer Foundation and A/Prof Dedee Murrell and Dr. Linda Martin (St. George Hospital). We have currently recruited 14 out of a target of 24 patients, and the study is still open for interested patients. The entire procedure is performed by just myself and our trial nurse (Lesley Rhodes SRN), as the whole process does not require specialized laboratory staff. Patients also find it convenient as the on-site processing allows immediate application.