This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Topical ruxolitinib provides repigmentation in patients with facial vitiligo

Patients with facial vitiligo experienced significant repigmentation after treatment with topical ruxolitinib 1.5% cream, according to recently published study results.

The researchers conducted a 20-week, open-label, proof-of-concept study at Tufts Medical Center in Boston of 11 patients (54.5% men; mean age, 52 years) with a minimum of 1% affected body surface are of vitiligo.

Percent improvement in Vitiligo Area Scoring Index from baseline to the end of the study was the primary outcome.

Nine patients completed the study.

There was a 76% improvement in facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index scores at week 20 (95% CI, 53-99) in four patients who had significant facial involvement at baseline. All patients had a 23% improvement in overall Vitiligo Areas Scoring Index scores at week 20 (95% CI, 4-43).

“Three of eight patients responded on body surfaces and one of eight patients responded on acral surfaces,” the researchers wrote.

Erythema, hyperpigmentation and transient acne were among minor adverse events reported.

“Topical JAK inhibition may offer a promising a treatment for vitiligo,” the researchers concluded. “Because laboratory monitoring was not performed in our patients, we cannot comment on potential laboratory-adverse events, but it was assumed these were not likely to occur with topical application. Twice-daily application of topical ruxolitinib 1.5% cream produced significant improvement in facial vitiligo in this small cohort of patients.”  – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.