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Xeljanz might be effective as vitiligo treatment
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Xeljanz was effective as treatment in a patient with vitiligo, according to recently published study results.
“While it’s one case, we anticipated the successful treatment of this patient based on our current understanding of the disease and how the drug works,” researcher Brett A. King, MD, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, said in a press release.
King and colleague Brittany G. Craiglow, MD, reported on a woman in her 50s who had widespread and progressive vitiligo for approximately 1 year. Triamcinolone ointment, 0.1% and tacroliumus ointment, 0.1% had been used as treatment with no effect. She also underwent three treatments of ultraviolet B (UV-B) phototherapy, but noticed progression of vitiligo.
The patient initially was given oral Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate; Pfizer), a Janus kinase inhibitor, 5 mg every other day, which was increased to 5 mg every day after 3 weeks. This dosage is half the approved dosage of for rheumatoid arthritis, 5 mg twice daily.
Partial repigmentation of the face and upper extremities was noted after 2 months of therapy. There was nearly complete repigmentation of the forehead and hands at 5 months, with partial repigmentation of the remaining involved areas. Depigmentation remained on approximately 5% of the total body surface.
There were no adverse events reported. No abnormalities in blood cell count, serum creatinine, hepatic function or lipids during treatment course were revealed in laboratory monitoring.
“This report is the first to demonstrate effective pathogenesis-based therapy for a patient with vitiligo,” the researchers concluded. “The fairly rapid response and repigmentation of the hands, which are often resistant to therapy are noteworthy.”
King said in the release that he hopes to conduct a clinical trial using tofacitinib or Jakafi (ruxolitinib, Incyte) for treating vitiligo.
“It’s a first, and it could revolutionize treatment of an awful disease,” King said in the release. “This may be a huge step forward in the treatment of patients with this condition.” – by Bruce Thiel
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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