New
Recent studies presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology annual congress have brought new hope in the treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo.
A 52-week phase 2b trial involving 171 adults tested povorcitinib, a Janus kinase 1 inhibitor, revealing that continuous 75 mg doses significantly improved symptoms. Patients showed substantial repigmentation of both body and face, with improvements in the Total Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (T-VASI) ranging from 18.1% to 42.7%. Impressively, the benefits of povorcitinib might last beyond the treatment period, with effects persisting at least six months post-treatment. This efficacy was confirmed during a 76-week follow-up, where total body repigmentation remained consistent.
Parallel to this, the phase 2 BARVIT study of oral baricitinib, combined with narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy, also showed significant results. Patients treated with baricitinib and phototherapy experienced a remarkable 65% change in the Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI) and a 45% change in T-VASI over 36 weeks. These results were notably superior to those observed in the placebo group.
These findings are particularly exciting considering that currently, the only JAK inhibitor approved for nonsegmental vitiligo is the topical ruxolitinib (Opzelura), which received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in July 2022 and the European Medicines Agency in April 2023. If future studies validate these trials' results, povorcitinib and baricitinib could join ruxolitinib in the arsenal of treatments for this skin condition.
For physicians and dermatologists, these developments offer a promising glimpse into the future of vitiligo treatment. Povorcitinib and baricitinib have the potential to become integral parts of treatment protocols, offering new hope and options for patients grappling with generalized vitiligo.
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Though it is not always easy to treat vitiligo, there is much to be gained by clearly understanding the diagnosis, the future implications, treatment options and their outcomes.
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