Fibroblast Therapy for Wrinkles

The use of facial rejuvenation treatments continues to grow worldwide. Almost all current therapies are based on the implantation of foreign substances, such as hyaluronic acid, bovine, porcine, or recombinant collagens, etc., and the generation of wound-healing cascades through ablative skin surfacing or chemical peeling. 

The use of cell therapies is also growing for many conditions, and with the belief that it may be more beneficial than other therapies. 

One of those therapies is the use of autologous cultured fibroblasts. Initial studies with these fibroblasts have demonstrated a good risk:benefit profile. 

In a study published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery, researchers evaluated the safety and effectiveness of autologous fibroblast therapy for the treatment of nasolabial fold (NLF) wrinkles. 

Safe, Effective and Easy to Administer 

The study included a total of 372 participants with moderate to very severe NLF wrinkles who were randomized to receive three treatments with autologous fibroblasts or placebo at 5-week intervals.

Efficacy was assessed using four parameters: evaluation of live subject appearance by blinded evaluators, self-evaluation of subject appearance, evaluation of final improvement by blinded evaluators using photographs, and self-evaluation of final improvement by subjects using photographs.

Injections were performed using a total of 0.1 mL of cell suspension along each 1 cm of wrinkle. No massage or other manipulation of the areas was performed.

The team found that 64% of the participants treated with autologous fibroblast therapy showed at least a 1-point improvement in the evaluator’s assessment compared to 36% of those treated with placebo. 

The mechanism by which the fibroblasts injected help is believed to include the direct secretion of increased amounts of collagen and elastin, the induced proliferation of native fibroblasts, the secretion of cofactors, or simply the multiplication of the transplanted fibroblasts. 

The researchers concluded that the therapy was safe and effective for the treatment of NLF wrinkles. 

Source:

Stacy R. Smith, et al. A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Autologous Fibroblast Therapy for the Treatment of Nasolabial Fold Wrinkles. 2012. Dermatol Surg. DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2012.02349.x 

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