Comparison of Non-Cultured Epidermal Cell Suspension (NCES) and 3D Bioprinting of Autologous Melanocytes for the Treatment of Vitiligo: A Pilot Study

This prospective pilot study is designed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of Non-Cultured Epidermal Cell Suspension (NCES) and 3D bioprinting of autologous melanocytes in the treatment of vitiligo, with repigmentation rate as the primary endpoint. A total of 32-34 stable vitiligo patches will be included, with each treatment arm receiving 16-17 patches. For NCES, a suspension of melanocytes from a thin skin biopsy will be applied to dermabraded patches. In the 3D bioprinting arm, melanocytes isolated from autologous skin will be mixed with hydroxymethyl cellulose (HMC) to create a bioink, which will then be printed into skin substitutes and applied to the prepared patches.

Patients will be followed monthly for six months, assessing repigmentation rates through clinical photographs, patient satisfaction on a Visual Analog Scale, and monitoring for any adverse events. It is hypothesized that 3D bioprinting will lead to higher repigmentation rates, improved patient satisfaction, and maintain a strong safety profile. The outcomes of this study are expected to provide insights into the potential of 3D bioprinting as a superior therapeutic alternative in vitiligo management, supporting its use in further clinical studies with larger sample sizes.