The efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy for non-segmental vitiligo: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Clinical efficacy of CO2 fractional laser combined with compound betamethasone in treating vitiligo and its impact on inflammatory factors

Objective

To analyze the clinical efficacy of CO2 fractional laser combined with compound betamethasone in treating vitiligo and its impact on inflammatory factors.

Methods

The clinical treatment effects, levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-17 (IL-17), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10)], prognosis regarding repigmentation and relapse, psychological health (satisfaction).

Results

① Clinical treatment effects: the total effective rate in Group A was 92.73%, Group B was 74.55%, and Group C was 67.27%, with Group A showing significantly higher effectiveness than Groups B and C (p < 0.05). ② Inflammatory factors: prior to treatment, there was no significant difference in IL-17, IFN-γ, and IL-10 levels among the three groups (p > 0.05); after 3 and 6 months of treatment, the levels of IL-17 and IFN-γ decreased significantly while IL-10 levels increased significantly across all three groups, with Group A showing a more pronounced change compared to Groups B and C (p < 0.05). ③ Prognosis regarding repigmentation and relapse: after 3 and 6 months of treatment, Group A exhibited significantly higher repigmentation rates compared to Groups B and C (p < 0.05); in terms of relapse, Group A had a relapse rate of 5.45%, Group B had 21.82%, and Group C had 23.64%, with Group A showing significantly lower relapse rates compared to Groups B and C (p < 0.05). ④ Quality of life and psychological health: at the end of the 6 month follow-up, the quality of life and psychological health of patients in Group A were significantly higher than those in Groups B and C (p < 0.05). ⑤ Occurrence of adverse reactions: the incidence of adverse reactions was 12.73% in Group A, 10.91% in Group B, and 9.09% in Group C, with no significant difference observed among the three groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The application of CO2 fractional laser combined with compound betamethasone in vitiligo patients demonstrates significant efficacy. Compared to sole treatment with CO2 fractional laser or compound betamethasone injections, this combined approach further improves the levels of inflammatory factors in vitiligo patients, reduces the risk of relapse, enhances skin repigmentation, improves quality of life, psychological well-being, without increasing the risk of related adverse reactions. This combined approach merits clinical promotion and application.

Phototherapy for vitiligo: A narrative review on the clinical and molecular aspects, and recent literature

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is characterized by depigmented patches resulting from loss of melanocytes. Phototherapy has emerged as a prominent treatment option for vitiligo, utilizing various light modalities to induce disease stability and repigmentation.

AIMS AND METHODS

This narrative review aims to explore the clinical applications and molecular mechanisms of phototherapy in vitiligo.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The review evaluates existing literature on phototherapy for vitiligo, analyzing studies on hospital-based and home-based phototherapy, as well as outcomes related to stabilization and repigmentation. Narrowband ultra-violet B, that is, NBUVB remains the most commonly employed, studied and effective phototherapy modality for vitiligo. Special attention is given to assessing different types of lamps, dosimetry, published guidelines, and the utilization of targeted phototherapy modalities. Additionally, the integration of phototherapy with other treatment modalities, including its use as a depigmenting therapy in generalized/universal vitiligo, is discussed. Screening for anti-nuclear antibodies and tailoring approaches for non-photo-adapters are also examined.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of phototherapy for vitiligo treatment. It underscores the evolving landscape of phototherapy and offers insights into optimizing therapeutic outcomes and addressing the challenges ahead. By integrating clinical evidence with molecular understanding, phototherapy emerges as a valuable therapeutic option for managing vitiligo, with potential for further advancements in the field.

Comparison of NB-UVB combination therapy regimens for vitiligo: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo was an autoimmune disease and some guidelines for the management of vitiligo encouraged the use of NB-UVB combination therapies to enhance repigmentation.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of current NB-UVB combination regimen at the improvement in repigmentation through a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched the electronic databases for randomized controlled trials related to NB-UVB combination therapy for vitiligo till October 2022. STATA15.0 software was applied to carrying out data analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 28 eligible studies involving 1194 participants were enrolled in the analysis. The NMA results revealed that compared with NB-UVB, carboxytherapy [OR = 32.35, 95% CI (1.79, 586.05)], Er: YAG laser+ topical 5% 5-FU [OR = 10.74, 95% CI (4.05, 28.49)], needling/micro-needling [OR = 3.42, 95% CI (1.18, 9.88)], betamethasone intramuscular injection [OR = 3.08, 95% CI (1.17, 8.13)], topical tacrolimus [OR = 2.54, 95% CI (1.30, 4.94)], and oral Chinese herbal medicine compound [OR = 2.51, 95% CI (1.40, 4.50)] integrated with NB-UVB were more efficacious in excellent to complete repigmentation response rate (≥75%). Besides, NB-UVB+ Er: YAG laser+ topical 5% 5-FU [OR = 0.17, 95% CI (0.04, 0.67)] and NB-UVB+ needling/micro-needling [OR = 0.24, 95% CI (0.06, 0.88)] were less likely evaluated as ineffective repigmentation response (≤25%).

CONCLUSIONS

All combination therapies ranked higher than NB-UVB monotherapy in inducing successful repigmentation and avoiding failed treatment in patients with vitiligo. Comprehensive consideration, NB-UVB+ Er: YAG laser+ topical 5% 5-FU and NB-UVB+ needling/microneedling would be the preferred therapeutic approaches.

[High-intensity laser therapy in clinical medicine: scientometric analysis of evidence of effectiveness]

INTRODUCTION

High-intensity laser technologies are widely used in modern restorative medicine, and indications for their use are expanding annually. These technologies are effective, potentially safe methods of treating many diseases. with pronounced therapeutic effects.

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH

Analysis of scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of high-intensity laser therapy in patients with various diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A comprehensive scientometric analysis of evidence-based studies of the effectiveness and safety of high-intensity laser therapy methods was carried out according to electronic databases (Google scholar, PEDro, PubMed, Cochrane DATABASE) for the period from 2006 to 2021.

RESULTS

High-intensity laser therapy has a wide range of significantly pronounced therapeutic effects. and it is an effective method of treating patients with various diseases. Various technologies and methods of its application are widely used in various fields of clinical medicine. Individually developed therapy protocols are needed, with optimal exposure parameters for each patient, intervals between procedures.

CONCLUSION

It is advisable to develop more reliable and standard evaluation criteria, regular generalization and analysis of existing evidence, careful planning and implementation of further large-scale randomized controlled trials to study the effects of high-intensity laser radiation both as a single effect and as part of combinations with other treatment methods. The effectiveness of combination therapy requires further analysis in the course of conducting new benign clinical trials.

Beneficial UVB phototherapy preceding a fractional CO2 laser-UVB protocol in refractory non-segmental vitiligo

OBJECTIVES

To explore the short- and long-term effects of UVB phototherapy preceding a fractional CO₂ laser-UVB protocol in patients with resistant nonsegmental vitiligo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center, prospective, split-face/body, evaluator-blinded study included adult patients with stable vitiligo refractory to conventional treatments. Two symmetrical lesions were selected. Phototherapy was delivered with one side covered, until minimal erythema. Within 3 days, 31-month-apart sessions of laser were performed on both sides. After each laser session, phototherapy was resumed three times weekly, with all lesions uncovered, until 8 weeks after the last laser session. At baseline, at the end of treatment, and 5 years later, a Mean Improvement Score by Physician (MISP) and a patient satisfaction 10-point visual analog score (VAS) were recorded.

RESULTS

Ten patients (8 women and 2 men) were included; their mean age was 32.9 years; phototype III was predominant; the mean duration of vitiligo was 3 years. At the end of treatment and 5 years later, scores of lesions treated with UVB-CO₂ -UVB (mean MISP 3.0 and 2.9, mean ΔVAS 4.5 and 3.9, respectively), were higher than those of lesions treated only with CO₂ -UVB (mean MISP 2.5 and 2.4, mean ΔVAS 4.1 and 3.6, respectively). After 5 years, one patient lost his partial response and two patients developed light hyperpigmentation on both sides.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to UVB before CO₂ -UVB explains the higher scores as it was the only variable between the two sides. It may improve the response of resistant lesions with a constantly sustained result over 5 years.

Efficacy and safety of combined fractional ablative CO2 laser and 5 fluorouracil in the treatment of acral vitiligo: An open, uncontrolled study

BACKGROUND

Acral lesions of vitiligo are most likely recalcitrant to the known lines of treatment. Ablative fractional CO₂ has shown efficacy in treatment of vitiligo in combination with other modalities.

METHODS

Thirty non-segmental vitiligo patients with acral lesion were included in the study. Each patient was subjected to fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment followed by application of 5 fluorouracil (5FU) cream for five consecutive days. Evaluation was done 3 weeks from the start of treatment and 12 weeks after the last treatment session using VESTA score, evaluation of patients' photos by blinded investigation in addition to patients' satisfaction scores.

RESULTS

Patients showed significant improvement of Vitiligo extent score for a target area (VESTA) score and developed considerable degree of repigmentation as assessed by blinded investigators.

CONCLUSION

The combination of fractional ablative CO₂ and 5FU is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of acral vitiligo with promising results offering patients a new therapeutic window.

Research trends and hotspot analysis of fractional carbon dioxide laser: A bibliometric and visualized analysis via Citespace

INTRODUCTION

There is limited basic research on carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) fractional laser, indicating blind spots in CO₂ fractional laser treatment of certain diseases. This study aimed to organize previous literature, summarize the current research, and speculate on possible future development.

METHODS

We searched document data on fractional CO₂ lasers from the Web of Science core collection database and retrieved 928 articles from 2004 to 2021. CiteSpace software was used to analyze the main institutions, authors, subject hotspots, and research frontiers in global CO₂ fractional laser research.

RESULTS

The results revealed that 928 related papers were published in the past 18 years (2004-2021), and the number has increased annually. The publications were written by 3239 authors from 626 institutions in 60 countries/regions. The United States (US) dominates this field (312 documents), followed by Italy (289), and South Korea (88). Lasers in Surgery and Medicine is the journal with the most publications and citations, and Uebelhoer is the central author. The main research hotspots include vulvovaginal atrophy, fractional photothermolysis, keloids, drug delivery, gene expressions, facial acne scarring, resurfacing, vitiligo, and photo damage.

CONCLUSION

Using CiteSpace, this paper draws a map of authors, institutions, and keywords in fractional CO₂ laser from 2004 to 2021; summarizes the main authors, institutions, research hotspots, and cutting-edge topics of global fractional CO₂ laser technology in recent years; and summarizes the current application status of global fractional CO₂ laser in disease treatment. It also provides new ideas for the future application and research of fractional CO₂ lasers.

The use of lasers in vitiligo, an overview

Various types of lasers have been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of vitiligo. The mode of action of these lasers is just as varied as the purpose of intervention. Many clinicians are not aware of the unique opportunity these lasers offer to improve the outcomes of vitiligo treatment. To date, no clear overview exists of the use of lasers in vitiligo treatment. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the various types of lasers and provide an overview of the evidence for their efficacy. We found good evidence from a systematic review that the excimer laser is effective, induces repigmentation rates comparable to NB‐UVB and has improved outcomes when combined with calcineurin inhibitors. Ablative lasers are commonly used for tissue graft or melanocyte–keratinocyte cell graft transplantation. They provide safe, fast and uniform denudation of the epidermis with propitious repigmentation outcomes. We found conflicting evidence from two systematic reviews regarding the efficacy of fractional ablative lasers for improving outcomes of NB‐UVB therapy, a systematic review including only fractional ablative lasers provided evidence for efficacy. Q‐switched nanosecond lasers have shown to be safe and effective for inducing depigmentation, although recurrence is common, and most studies were small and retrospective. Despite proven efficacy and safety, laser treatments are relatively expensive and suited for limited body surface areas and selected cases. Each type of laser has benefits and risks associated and should, therefore, be individually chosen based on location, extent, activity and type of vitiligo.

Triple combination therapy of narrowband ultraviolet B, fractional carbon dioxide laser and topical bimatoprost 0.01% for non-segmental vitiligo on non-facial areas: A randomized half-body, double-blind, placebo-controlled, comparative study

Combination therapy shows superior outcomes over monotherapy in treating vitiligo. Topical bimatoprost is a melanogenic agent effectively used to induce repigmentation. However, topical bimatoprost 0.01% has never been explored in non-facial vitiligo, and triple therapy of phototherapy, fractional laser and topical bimatoprost has never been examined. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of triple-modality treatment, combining narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), fractional carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) laser and topical bimatoprost 0.01% for stable non-segmental vitiligo on non-facial areas. Fifteen vitiligo patients with at least two symmetrical, comparable-sized lesions on non-facial regions were included. The paired lesions were randomized to receive a treatment regimen of twice-daily application of either bimatoprost 0.01% solution or placebo in combination with once-monthly fractional CO₂ laser and twice-weekly NB-UVB therapy for 12 weeks. There were no statistically significant differences in the vitiligo surface area (VSA) and melanin concentration (MC) at baseline between treatment sides. After 12 weeks of treatment, the percentage change from baseline of MC on the triple-therapy side was significantly higher than that on the dual-therapy side, 27.17 ± 13.62% versus 22.82 ± 10.10% (p = 0.028). The change from baseline of VSA was also greater on the triple-therapy side; however, a statistically significant difference was not reached. Improvement grades of repigmentation and adverse events were similar on both sides. Triple therapy with NB-UVB, fractional CO₂ laser and topical bimatoprost 0.01% tends to be safe and more effective as compared to dual therapy of NB-UVB and fractional CO₂ laser in non-facial vitiligo.

Transverse Needling After Autologous Mini-Punch Grafts Improves Repigmentation in Stable Non-Segmental Vitiligo

Background

Repigmentation remains the primary target in vitiligo treatment. Melanocyte transfer procedures are often required for repigmenting stable, resistant vitiligo lesions necessitating procedural optimization and comparative evaluation. In the current study, we aimed to assess the additive value of weekly transverse needling sessions after mini-punch grafting for repigmenting stable non-segmental vitiligo lesions versus either procedure alone.

Methods

Eighty lesions, included in 20 stable non-segmental vitiligo patients, were randomly allocated to each of the three treatment groups (line-1, mini-punch grafting; line-2, needling; and line-3, combined grafting and needling) and to a fourth control group receiving non-procedural treatment (line-4). Oral mini-pulse steroids and narrow-band ultraviolet-B sessions were administered to all patients for 3 months before and 6 months after the interventions. The extent of repigmentation was assessed using planimetry. Secondary outcomes were the time to first repigmentation response, cosmetic matching, and patient satisfaction. Blinding and allocation concealment were not feasible owing to the intervention nature and within subject design.

Results

Mini-punch grafting followed by weekly needling for 6 months achieved the fastest response and highest extent of repigmentation. Mini-punch grafts and transverse needling alone provided better results than the control group. No steroid-associated side effects were reported.

Conclusion

Weekly needling sessions after mini-punch grafting hastened and improved the repigmentation extent of stable, resistant, non-segmental vitiligo lesions and should be considered during treatment planning.

Vitiligo: An Updated Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is a relatively common acquired pigmentation disorder that can cause significant psychological stress and stigmatism.

OBJECTIVE

This article aims to familiarize physicians with the clinical manifestations, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of vitiligo.

METHODS

A Pubmed search was conducted in Clinical Queries using the key term "vitiligo". The search included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews. The search was restricted to English language. The information retrieved from the above search was used in the compilation of the present article.

RESULTS

Approximately one quarter of patients with vitiligo have the onset before 10 years of age. Genetic, immunological, neurogenic and environmental factors may have a role to play in the pathogenesis. Vitiligo typically presents as acquired depigmented, well-demarcated macules/patches that appear milk- or chalk-white in color. Lesions tend to increase in number and enlarge centrifugally in size with time. Sites of predilection include the face, followed by the neck, lower limbs, trunk, and upper limbs. The clinical course is generally unpredictable. In children with fair skin, no active treatment is usually necessary other than the use of sunscreens and camouflage cosmetics. If treatment is preferred for cosmesis, topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, and narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy are the mainstays of treatment.

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic effect of all the treatment modalities varies considerably from individual to individual. As such, treatment must be individualized. In general, the best treatment response is seen in younger patients, recent disease onset, darker skin types, and head and neck lesions. Topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors are the treatment choice for those with localized disease. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are generally preferred for lesions on genitalia, intertriginous areas, face, and neck. Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy should be considered in patients who have widespread vitiligo or those with localized vitiligo associated with a significant impact on the quality of life who do not respond to treatment with topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors.