Plumping Up

Created on 15th May 2009

Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics Magazine investigates Vavelta®, a brand new treatment that promises to remodel the skin from the inside out

Allogeneic (donor) human dermal fibroblasts or HDFs have recently found their way into the scientific spotlight. Dr David Eccleston, Clinical Director of MediZen Ltd, a leading cosmetic clinic and clinical trial and training centre, has conducted a clinical trial using these most industrious of cells and explains their benefits in medical and cosmetic applications.

"We believe that HDFs can regenerate and rejuvenate skin damaged by scarring or the ageing process because of their innate role in the skin. These cells, akin to the ‘worker bees in a hive' are critical to normal daily function and capable of many roles. We are now beginning to harness the properties of these cells for the benefit of our patients," said Dr Eccleston.

Fibroblast cells are responsible for the repair and maintenance of youthful skin, pumping out collagen to create a line-free complexion. But as we age, they become less active and many die.

Vavelta®, manufactured by British Biotech Company, Intercytex, is a suspension of twenty million fibroblast cells - or HDFs - in 1ml of storage medium for injection into the skin. Injection is made using a fine gauge needle at approximately 0.5-1cm intervals in the area to be treated.

It is a straightforward, minimally invasive procedure and a local anaesthetic cream is usually used to minimize discomfort. Valveta® introduces collagen-secreting HDFs into the skin's extracellular matrix, by injection into the dermis. The HDFs may lay down new collagen and other extracellular matrix within the dermis.

In clinical studies Vavelta® has been shown to repair and improve skin damaged by scarring and the ageing process making the skin smoother, thicker and more resilient.

"What is radical about this new treatment, and is different from Botox or dermal fillers that we commonly use, is that it seems to rejuvenate and restructure ageing and damaged skin from the inside by repopulating the lower layers of the skin with millions of healthy young skin cells," explains Dr Eccleston.

"The treatment is not instant as the cells need time to settle into the dermis (middle layer of the skin) before they start to reproduce and stimulate new collagen, so results can take a month or more to register."

Results are dependent on the individual. Where HDFs begin to lay down collagen within the dermis, Valveta® may provide a gradual improvement in the quality and texture of the skin. Repeat procedures may be undertaken as required.

It is also worth bearing in mind that it takes time for the injected cells to start producing collagen and stimulate changes in the extracellular matrix and so the time for any results to appear will vary from patient to patient. Long-term clinical information is not yet available, so it is not possible to say how long any effects will last.

HDFs have fascinated scientists and clinical researchers over many years who have reviewed opportunities to put these cells to effective medical use. HDFs are now routinely used in wound care products, providing huge advances in active wound care management.

The Phase II clinical study that MediZen carried out in Birmingham encompassed patients with body and facial scarring including acne, varicella and TB scars, and now the product is commercially available. Success with Vavelta® has been notable in patients with acne, burn contractures and some aesthetic applications.

Yvonne Leslie from Wolverhampton had this to say about the treatment: "I had Vavelta® to treat acne scarring and the results have been fantastic. The scarring is much improved as is the tone and texture of my skin."
CS&AM