Repigmentation in vitiligo using the Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib may require concomitant light exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which cutaneous depigmentation occurs. Existing therapies are often inadequate. Prior reports have shown benefit of the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of the JAK 1/3 inhibitor tofacitinib in the treatment of vitiligo.

Method

This is a retrospective case series of 10 consecutive patients with vitiligo treated with tofacitinib. Severity of disease was assessed by body surface area of depigmentation.

Results

Ten consecutive patients were treated with tofacitinib. Five patients achieved some repigmentation at sites of either sunlight exposure or low-dose narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy. Suction blister sampling revealed that the autoimmune response was inhibited during treatmen

SUBMITTER: Liu LY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6233876 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature