Autologous Concentrated Growth Factor Used to Treat Linear Scleroderma En Coup de Sabre: A Case Report

Introduction

Linear scleroderma is a localized scleroderma of unknown etiology characterized by band-like sclerotic lesions of the skin and underlying tissues. When it occurs as alopecia of the scalp, eyebrow, eyelashes, or forehead, it is termed linear scleroderma en coup de sabre (LSCS).¹ LSCS can cause significant functional disability and cosmetic problems. The variety of extracutaneous features include hair follicle atrophy and hair loss. In long-term cases, the follicle disappears and a permanent bald spot forms with obvious boundaries, longitudinal in shape. In severe cases, the scalp is atrophied, depressed, and adhered to the bone surface to varying degrees. This usually causes serious psychological distress in young female patients.

The histopathological features of LSCS are vacuolar degeneration at the dermoepidermal junction, perivascular or periappendageal lymphocytic infiltrate (or both), and vacuolar degeneration of the follicular epithelium.² Worldwide, no effective systematic treatment is available that can cure localized scleroderma. Therefore, focus should be directed to slowing disease progression and preventing the development of irreversible sequalae, such as cutaneous and subcutaneous atrophy. Most widely used for this purpose are topical corticosteroids, tacrolimus ointment, calcipotriol ointment, ultraviolet phototherapy, systemic corticosteroids, oral methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and biological agent.^3–5 However, in a setting of disease progression and recurrence, attempting other therapeutic regimens is warranted.

Concentrated growth factor (CGF) was first isolated from venous blood by Sacco in 2006, using a special centrifuge with controlled speeds.⁶ CGF is now the latest generation of platelet concentrate. Its component growth factors include VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta 1), PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor), and IGF (insulin-like growth factor). CGF also includes platelets, cytokines, and abundant CD34-positive cells, all of which facilitate healing and tissue regeneration.^6,7 The unique composition of CGF, and its ease of preparation and cost-effectiveness, has led to wide application in the fields of dentistry and cosmetic surgery.⁸ It has been suggested that CGF may be a promising candidate for peripheral nerve regeneration with an excellent safety profile.⁷

We speculated that CGF might improve the prognosis of LSCS. As far as we know, the effect of autologous CGF applied in LSCS has not been reported. This case report describes the use of autologous CGF to treat LSCS in a 31-year-old woman. The patient provided informed consent for the report of her clinical course.

Case Presentation

A 31-year-old woman presented with a 4-year history of mild hyperchromia, which began on the right side of her forehead and evolved into localized dermal atrophy accompanied by abnormal loss of local hair and eyebrows on the right side. The patient had no history of autoimmune disorders, smoking, or drinking. She had no known allergies. There was no family history of autoimmune or rheumatological disease, or scleroderma.

On examination, she was anxious and in mild discomfort. There was a band of non-tender, non-erythematous sclerotic skin over the right eyebrow; abnormal loss of eyebrows, and a linear band of sclerotic skin accompanied by patch of alopecia on the right corner of the forehead (Figure 1A–C). The patient reported no fever, dry eyes, dry mouth, myalgia, arthralgia, Raynaud’s phenomenon, joint swelling, rash, or oral lesions. The remainder of the physical examination was normal.

Figure 1 Clinical and dermoscopy findings. (A) Atrophic linear patch of alopecia on the frontal scalp. Scalp alopecia (B) mild hyperchromia. (C) Thinning of the eyebrow on the affected side; loss of eyebrow. (D) Pili torti, linear and branching vessels on whitish skin surface. (E–G) Clinical and (H) dermoscopy image of affected area, 3 months after CGF injections.

Blood levels of glucose, electrolytes, and vitamin B₁₂ were normal, as was complete blood count, erythrocyte-sedimentation rate, and kidney, liver, and thyroid functions. The following screening tests were negative: antinuclear antibodies, anti-double-stranded DNA, anticentromere, anti-RNP, and anti-Scl-70 antibodies. Other laboratory test results were normal.

Dermoscopy showed pili torti, and linear and branching vessels on whitish patches (Figure 1D) that is consistent with LSCS disease.⁹

The patient began treatment with 0.05% halometasone cream on the affected scalp, and asiaticoside ointment on the right eyebrow twice a day. However, 6 months after the initiation of treatment there was no regrowth of hair or eyebrow, and there was an aggravating contraction and stiffness of the right forehead. Given the clinically significant progression of the disease, we recommended GCF, because she refused to take methotrexate and mycophenolate orally due to side effects such as gastrointestinal reactions.

Autologous CGF Preparation

Two 10-mL non‑anticoagulant negative pressure tubes and a centrifuge device (Medifuge MF200, Silfradent srl, Forlì, Italy) were used during the procedure. Nine milliliters of intravenous blood, collected from the antecubital fossa of the patient, were placed in each negative pressure tube. Proper centrifugation resulted in 3 layers in each tube, specifically a top, middle, and bottom layer corresponding to platelet-poor plasma, CGF, and red blood cells, respectively. After removing the top layer with a sterile syringe, the middle layers were extracted for application.

CGF Treatment Procedure

With the patient supine, a local anesthesia of 1% lidocaine was given via infiltration. Liquid phase CGF was injected into the areas of dermal atrophy and alopecia, at a dose of 0.1 mL/cm², using a disposable 32G needle. After removal of the needle, the dermatologist gently pressed the needled skin area using a dry sterilized cotton ball. The treatment was performed once per month for a total of 3 treatments in 3 consecutive months.

After the initial treatment, the atrophy, stiffness, and angiotelectasis of the localized affected area showed a definite improvement (Figure 1E–H). The patient was completely asymptomatic at all the subsequent treatment dates, suggesting a successful treatment outcome. During the subsequent 6 months of follow-up, the patient’s sclerotic skin gradually improved and no further hair loss was noted. There was no injection-related nodule, induration, swelling, or other adverse event throughout the treatment period. No recurrence was detected 24 months after the last treatment.

After three treatments, the atrophy, stiffness, and angiotelectasis on the affected area had improved (Figure 1E–H), particularly in the right forehead, with lessening of the skin hyperpigmentation and atrophy (Figure 2A–D).

Figure 2 Before treatment and after immediate effect. (A and B) Initial clinical presentation. The right forehead at rest and lifting the eyebrow. (C and D) Immediate effect after treatment.

Discussion

To our best knowledge, this is the first study to describe treatment with autologous CGF injection to relieve clinical symptoms of LSCS. This report should raise awareness among dermatologists of the potential benefit of CGF for treating LSCS.

Very little is known about the pathogenesis of LSCS. Evidence suggests that linear scleroderma is an autoimmune disease, in which localized skin inflammation triggers excessive collagen synthesis and deposition, leading to skin hardening and atrophy of normal structures. In some individuals with LSCS, symptoms may be improved by conservative treatments such as topical or intralesional or systemic corticosteroids, topical tacrolimus ointment, phototherapy, or systemic methotrexate.⁴ Yet, there is no therapy that will effectively cure or completely resolve the risk of unpredictable progress and recurrence.

Our present patient with LSCS experienced improved hyperpigmentation, dermal atrophy, and subcutaneous atrophy of lesions after receiving autologous CGF injection treatments. There were no adverse effects. The mechanisms underlying the benefits of CGF remain unknown. However, platelet-rich plasma has been used for facial rejuvenation and nonscarring alopecia in several studies.^10–12 Platelet-rich plasma may induce hair growth and follicle survival by stimulating the stem cells located in the bulge region, which in turn can activate the proliferative phase of the hair cycle.^10,12,13 CGF is the latest generation of platelet concentrate and includes various growth factors (eg, VEGF, TGF-β, PDGF and IGF) and abundant CD34-positive cells. The participation of these growth factors in regulating cell proliferation, migration, matrix remodeling, differentiation, and angiogenesis has been demonstrated,⁶ as well as the effect of circulating CD34-positive cells to improve vascular maintenance, neovascularization, and angiogenesis.⁶ Therefore, we hypothesize that CGF, secreted by platelets, may be a crucially important component of platelet-rich plasma that can improve the symptoms of LSCS. A primary attribute of CGF is that it is autologous and thus free from the risk of cross-contamination. In addition, it is simple and inexpensive to make.

The results of the current case study are limited by its open-label and non-comparative nature. In addition, the 6-month follow-up may be insufficient, since LSCS is prone to reoccur within the first 2 years after discontinuation of treatment. We will continue to follow this patient to evaluate her long-term outcome. Also, before treatment a skin biopsy to assess the pathological changes in the skin lesions was not performed before treatment. Follow-up studies might include, as an important indicator, comparisons of histopathological changes at the skin lesions before and after CGF treatment.

Conclusion

In this study, we observed that 3 monthly localized injections with autologous CGF to treat a patient with LSCS appeared to significantly accelerate clinical improvement, without notable injection-site reaction. This regimen may be a new treatment option for patients with LSCS. Further reports are needed, and prospective studies, to determine whether CGF may be recommended to patients with LSCS as a better option to traditional choices.