Vitiligo causes patches of skin to lose pigment, affecting about 1% of people worldwide. Current treatments include topical steroids, light therapy, and the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib cream, FDA-approved in 2022. Many people see some repigmentation with treatment, though results vary widely and no therapy works for everyone.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing oral JAK inhibitors that may work faster than creams, combination approaches pairing light therapy with immune-modulating drugs, and depigmentation options for extensive vitiligo. Researchers are also studying transplant techniques that move pigment cells to affected areas and examining why vitiligo often appears after stress or injury.
Oral JAK inhibitors
Pills like ritlecitinib are being tested to block the immune attack on pigment cells throughout the body at once. Early results show repigmentation in facial vitiligo within months.
Cell transplant techniques
Several methods now move melanocytes from normally pigmented skin to white patches. Techniques include cell suspensions and punch grafts, with trials refining which approach works best for different body areas.
Combination therapy
Studies are pairing JAK inhibitors with narrowband UV-B light, testing whether the combination restores color faster than either treatment alone. Some trials add antioxidants or vitamin D.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on vitiligo extent, whether patches are actively spreading or stable, prior treatments tried, and location of affected areas.
What types of trials are currently open
- Drug trials — Testing oral and topical JAK inhibitors, usually measuring how much pigment returns to facial patches over 6-12 months.
- Combination trials — Pairing medications with light therapy or other treatments to see if multiple approaches restore color faster.
- Surgical trials — Testing melanocyte transplant techniques, typically for stable vitiligo that hasn't responded to other treatments.
- Device trials — Studying targeted UV-B devices and excimer lasers that treat individual patches without exposing surrounding skin.
- Quality of life studies — Following people with vitiligo to understand psychological impact and which support interventions help most.
Recently added Vitiligo trials
Receive topical treatment combined with laser therapy for vitiligo
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder affecting the skin, specifically targeting pigment-producing melanocytes, leading to noticeable regions of depigmentation characterized by white spots. It is a widely prevalent skin disorder globally, affecting males and females almost equally, although it is reported slightly more frequently in females. In more than 60% of patients, the disease begins before the age of 30 and It has an estimated prevalence of roughly 0.2-2% across various populations, with around 0.4% in the European-derived white (EUR) population.
Take a daily tablet being tested for vitiligo skin color restoration
To evaluate the efficacy of QY201 Tablets in adult subjects with non-segmental vitiligo, and to provide evidence for dose selection in the confirmatory Phase III clinical trial.
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