Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune skin condition in which immune cells attack and destroy melanocytes — the pigment-producing cells — causing irregular white patches on the skin and sometimes the hair. It affects roughly 1–2% of the global population and can occur at any age, though it most commonly begins before age 30. Beyond cosmetic impact, vitiligo carries significant psychological burden and is associated with other autoimmune diseases.
What's actually going on in research
Topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors have long been used to halt spread and achieve partial repigmentation. Ruxolitinib cream, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, became the first FDA-approved treatment specifically for non-segmental vitiligo and demonstrated meaningful facial and total body repigmentation in trials. Oral JAK inhibitors are in advanced trials, and afamelanotide — a melanocyte-stimulating hormone analog — is being combined with phototherapy in trials to accelerate repigmentation in darker skin tones.
JAK inhibitor therapy
Ruxolitinib cream is now FDA-approved for vitiligo after demonstrating repigmentation of facial and body lesions, and oral JAK inhibitors are in trials for more extensive disease.
Combination repigmentation
Pairing topical or oral JAK inhibitors with narrowband UVB phototherapy is being investigated to maximize repigmentation speed and extent, particularly in patients with widespread vitiligo.
Afamelanotide and phototherapy
Afamelanotide implants, which stimulate melanocyte migration and function, are being combined with UVB phototherapy in trials to improve repigmentation rates in patients with darker skin tones.
What to know before you search
Eligibility is based on vitiligo subtype (non-segmental vs segmental), affected body surface area, skin type, and prior treatment history.
What types of trials are currently open
- JAK inhibitor trials — Testing topical and oral JAK inhibitors including ruxolitinib and baricitinib for active vitiligo.
- Combination therapy trials — Evaluating JAK inhibitors paired with narrowband UVB to enhance and accelerate repigmentation.
- Afamelanotide trials — Studying MSH analog implants combined with phototherapy to stimulate melanocyte activity and pigment return.
- Maintenance therapy studies — Determining optimal duration and frequency of treatment to sustain repigmentation after initial response.
- Quality-of-life studies — Measuring psychological impact and patient-reported outcomes of repigmentation therapies.
Recently added Vitiligo trials
Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and How IBI3013 is Taken up and Processed by the Body in Healthy Volunteers After Single-dose Administration, and in Non-segmental Vitiligo Patients and Alopecia Areata Patients After Multiple-dose Administration
A multicenter clinical study to evaluate the safety, PK characteristics, immunogenicity characteristics, and PD characteristics of IBI3013 in healthy trial participants and active non-segmental vitiligo trial participants and severe alopecia areata trial participants. The study is divided into 2 parts, with Part 1 involving healthy trial participants lasting up to 24 weeks, and Part 2 involving active non-segmental vitiligo trial participants and severe alopecia areata trial participants lasting up to 48 weeks.
A Study of LY4005130 in Adult Participants With Non-Segmental Vitiligo
The purpose of this study is to evaluate how well LY4005130 is tolerated and what side effects may occur in participants with non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) when compared with placebo. The study drug will be administered intravenously (IV) (into a vein in the arm). Blood tests will be performed to investigate how the body processes the study drug and how the study drug affects the body. The study will last approximately 48 weeks, including screening.
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