Efficacy of Stromal Vascular Fraction on Acne Scar Correction

NCT07094958 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Acne scar_SVF study
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 16
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. SVF is a heterogeneous cell population derived from adipose tissue, containing various regenerative and immunomodulatory cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and pericytes. In this prospective, randomized, split-face clinical trial, participants with atrophic acne scars will receive SVF injections on one side of the face and normal saline (NS) injections on the contralateral side as a control. Clinical efficacy will be assessed through blinded scar counts, digital imaging, and histological evaluations including epidermal and dermal regenerative markers. The study is designed to investigate whether SVF provides superior clinical improvement compared to placebo.

Conditions

Acne Scars; Acne Scars - Atrophic

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in total number of atrophic acne scars from baseline to Week 5

  Baseline and 5 weeks after treatment

• Change in total number of atrophic acne scars from baseline to Week 10

  Baseline and 10 weeks after treatment

Study Arms (2)

SVF-treated side

EXPERIMENTAL

Intradermal injection of autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) on one side of the face.

Biological: stromal vascular fraction (SVF)

Saline-treated side

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Intradermal injection of normal saline (NS) on the contralateral side of the face.

Other: Normal Saline (NS)

Interventions

stromal vascular fraction (SVF) BIOLOGICAL

Autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) isolated from adipose tissue was injected intradermally into one side of the face to evaluate its efficacy in treating atrophic acne scars. SVF was freshly prepared on the same day of injection using enzymatic digestion and centrifugation.

SVF-treated side

Normal Saline (NS) OTHER

Normal saline (NS) was injected intradermally into the contralateral side of the face and served as a placebo comparator to SVF in this split-face study on atrophic acne scars.

Saline-treated side

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 19 and 45 years
• Presence of bilateral atrophic acne scars (boxcar, rolling, or icepick types) on the face
• Willingness to undergo fat harvesting procedure
• Ability to comply with study visits and follow-up
• Written informed consent obtained

You may not qualify if:

• Active acne lesions on the treatment area
• History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring
• Prior treatment for acne scars (e.g., laser, filler, microneedling) within the past 6 months
• History of systemic immunosuppressive therapy within the past 3 months
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Any systemic disease that may interfere with wound healing or safety assessment (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, collagen vascular disease)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Seoul National University Hospital: lead

Related Publications (7)

• Mbiine R, Wayengera M, Kiwanuka N, Munabi I, Muwonge H, Nakanwagi C, Joloba M, Galukande M. Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in scar treatment among patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current practices and outcomes. Am J Stem Cells. 2023 Dec 15;12(5):98-111. eCollection 2023.

  PMID: 38213639 BACKGROUND

• Bora P, Majumdar AS. Adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction in regenerative medicine: a brief review on biology and translation. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2017 Jun 15;8(1):145. doi: 10.1186/s13287-017-0598-y.

  PMID: 28619097 BACKGROUND

• Connolly D, Vu HL, Mariwalla K, Saedi N. Acne Scarring-Pathogenesis, Evaluation, and Treatment Options. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Sep;10(9):12-23. Epub 2017 Sep 1.

  PMID: 29344322 BACKGROUND

• Dreno B, Layton A, Bettoli V et al. Evaluation of the prevalence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and burden of acne scars among active acne patients in brazil, france, and the USA. J Am Acad Dermatol 2017; 76:ab132.

  BACKGROUND

• Kwon HH, Yoon HS, Suh DH, Yoon JY, Park SK, Lee ES, Lee JH, Kim NI, Kye YC, Ro YS, Lee SJ, Kim MN, Sung KJ, Lee ES, Kim KJ; Korean Society for Acne Research. A nationwide study of acne treatment patterns in Korea: analysis of patient preconceived notions and dermatologist suggestion for treatment. Acta Derm Venereol. 2012 May;92(3):236-40. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1331.

  PMID: 22367348 BACKGROUND

• Eichenfield DZ, Sprague J, Eichenfield LF. Management of Acne Vulgaris: A Review. JAMA. 2021 Nov 23;326(20):2055-2067. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.17633.

  PMID: 34812859 BACKGROUND

• Suh JH, Kim JY, Yoon JY, Lee JH, Kim DH, Jin U, Suh DH. Comparison of Efficacy of Intradermal Stromal Vascular Fraction Injection Versus Saline Injection in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scar: A 10-Week, Prospective, Randomized, Split-Face, Single-Blind Controlled Trial. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2025 Dec 18. doi: 10.1007/s13555-025-01617-6. Online ahead of print.

  PMID: 41413319 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Saline Solution

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Crystalloid Solutions; Isotonic Solutions; Solutions; Pharmaceutical Preparations

Central Study Contacts

Dae Hun Suh

CONTACT

82+2-2072-2714; daehun@snu.ac.kr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 29, 2025
• First Posted: July 31, 2025
• Study Start: July 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 31, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share