Narrowband UVB therapy for vitiligo: does the repigmentation last?

The impact of the COVID-19 surge on phototherapy in Taiwan: Focusing on the patient profile, adherence, and attitude before and after the surge

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused changes in the medical practice. However, it is unclear whether the patients receiving phototherapy for their dermatoses have been affected.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on phototherapy, focusing on the patient profile, adherence, and attitude before and after the surge.

METHODS

The study encompassed the time 5 months prior to and after the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic (from May to July, 2021), resulting in the temporary closure of our phototherapeutic unit.

RESULTS

Nine hundred eighty-one patients received phototherapy during this period. Vitiligo, psoriasis (Ps), and atopic dermatitis (AD) represented the groups with the highest patient numbers. For vitiligo, Ps and AD, 39.6%, 41.9%, and 28.4% of the patients resumed phototherapy after the pandemic-related shutdown (PRS). No significant difference was noted in age, gender, and number of weekly sessions between those who resumed or stopped phototherapy after PRS among three groups. Patients who resumed phototherapy after PRS tended to receive more weekly sessions of phototherapy than those who initiated after PRS. Additionally, patients who resumed phototherapy showed no significant difference in the number of weekly sessions before and after PRS.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients undergoing phototherapy. Although the patient number remained similar before and after PRS, a significant portion of patients discontinued phototherapy after PRS. New strategies and continued education are needed to improve patient management in times of pandemic.

Patho-immunological mechanisms of vitiligo: the role of the innate and adaptive immunities and environmental stress factors

Epidermal melanocyte loss in vitiligo, triggered by stresses ranging from trauma to emotional stress, chemical exposure or metabolite imbalance, to the unknown, can stimulate oxidative stress in pigment cells, which secrete damage-associated molecular patterns that then initiate innate immune responses. Antigen presentation to melanocytes leads to stimulation of autoreactive T-cell responses, with further targeting of pigment cells. Studies show a pathogenic basis for cellular stress, innate immune responses and adaptive immunity in vitiligo. Improved understanding of the aetiological mechanisms in vitiligo has already resulted in successful use of the Jak inhibitors in vitiligo. In this review, we outline the current understanding of the pathological mechanisms in vitiligo and locate loci to which therapeutic attack might be directed.

Disease stability in segmental and non-segmental vitiligo

Introduction:

Some therapeutic decisions in vitiligo depend on the likelihood of the disease remaining stable and inactive.

Aim:

To determine a period of disease stability in vitiligo following which reactivation was unlikely.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 200 patients where a detailed clinical history of the disease activity and stability over the course of vitiligo was recorded.

Results:

There were 167 (83.5%) patients with non-segmental vitiligo and 33 (16.5%) with segmental vitiligo. For every 1-year increase in the duration of the disease, stable and active periods increased by 0.7 and 0.3 years, respectively in non-segmental vitiligo and by 0.9 and 0.1 years in segmental vitiligo (P < 0.01). When segmental vitiligo was stable for at least 2 years, it was five times less likely to re-activate than the disease that was stable for less than 2 years (P = 0.16). However, in non-segmental vitiligo, we found no association between the duration of stability and risk of reactivation.

Conclusions:

Segmental vitiligo usually becomes inactive after the disease has been stable for 2 years. Non-segmental vitiligo is prone to reactivation even after prolonged periods of stability.

Autoimmunity in vitiligo: Therapeutic implications and opportunities

Vitiligo is an acquired chronic pigmentary disorder affecting the melanocytes, mainly in the skin and mucosae. It occurs due to the dynamic interaction between genetic and environmental factors leading to autoimmune destruction of melanocytes. Defects in melanocyte adhesion and increased oxidative stress further augment the immune response in vitiligo. It is a cosmetically disfiguring condition with a substantial psychological burden. Its autoimmune nature with resultant chronicity, variable responses to therapeutic modalities, and frequent recurrences have further diminished the quality of life. Hence, treatment should aim to provide more extended remission periods, prevent recurrences, provide good cosmetic outcomes and ensure patient satisfaction. These treatment goals seem plausible with the recent progress in our understanding of the complex pathogenic mechanisms underlying vitiligo at a molecular and genetic level. We provide a literature review of the pathogenic mechanisms and the therapies targeting these mechanisms.

Vitiligo: What's old, what's new

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder afflicting 0.5-2% of the world population for both sexes and all races with a capricious and unpredictable course. It has a complex etiology and varies in its manifestation, progression and response to treatment. Even if the precise aetiology and pathobiology of the disease are complex and still debated, recent evidence supports that vitiligo is a T CD8+ cell-mediated autoimmune disease triggered by oxidative stress. To date no clinical, biological and histological criteria allow us to establish the prognosis with certainty. The choice of the best therapy for adult and childhood vitiligo is based on various factors, such as the patient's age, psychological condition and expectations, distribution and extension of skin lesions, type of vitiligo (stable or not) and availability and cost of therapeutic options. Since vitiligo has a deep psychological impact on patients and their quality of life, treating the disease is very important. As dermatologists, we have important goals in the treatment of vitiligo patients: stabilization of the disease progression, repigmentation of the lesions and especially the persistence of the aforementioned repigmentation. Although several medical and surgical therapeutic options have been proposed, no definite cure has yet been developed and the long-term persistence of repigmentation is unpredictable. We review the different therapeutic options with particular attention on the recurrence rate.

Recent Progress and Future Directions: The Nano-Drug Delivery System for the Treatment of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a depigmentation disease that seriously affects the physical health, mental health and quality of life of a patient. Therapeutic aim at control immunoreaction by relieving oxidative stress. Unfortunately, the cuticle barrier function and lack of specific accumulation lead to unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes and side effects. The introduction and innovation of nanotechnology offers inspiration and clues for the development of new strategies to treat vitiligo. However, not many studies have been done to interrogate how nanotechnology can be used for vitiligo treatment. In this review, we summarize and analyze recent studies involving nano-drug delivery systems for the treatment of vitiligo, with a special emphasis on liposomes, niosomes, nanohydrogel and nanoparticles. These studies made significant progress by either increasing drug loading efficiency or enhancing penetration. Based on these studies, there are three proposed principles for topical nano-drug delivery systems treatment of vitiligo including the promotion of transdermal penetration, enhancement of drug retention and facilitation of melanin regeneration. The presentation of these ideas may provide inspirations for the future development of topical drug delivery systems that will conquer vitiligo.

Treatment outcome and persistence of repigmentation from narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy in vitiligo

Background: Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy is a mainstay treatment in vitiligo. However, data relative to repigmentation outcome, prognostic factors, and duration of repigmentation are limited. Objectives: To investigate the quantitative repigmentation outcome of NB-UVB phototherapy in vitiligo, the factors associated with favorable prognosis after NB-UVB, and the duration of repigmentation after NB-UVB discontinuation. Materials and methods: Medical records of vitiligo patients who underwent NB-UVB phototherapy at Department of Dermatology, Siriraj Hospital during 2012 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Repigmentation was assessed using Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) score. Results: Fifty-eight patients were included. All patients received NB-UVB phototherapy twice to three times weekly for a median duration of 12 months. Forty-two patients had nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV), and 16 had segmental vitiligo (SV). NSV and SV demonstrated overall improvement in VASI score of -50.0%±31.0% and -40.0%±28.3%, respectively. Factors predictive of good outcome included type of vitiligo, lesion location, disease duration before NB-UVB, and duration and total number of NB-UVB treatments. Persistence of repigmentation was observed in approximately 80% of cases at one year after discontinuation of NB-UVB. Conclusion: NB-UVB phototherapy is an effective treatment for vitiligo, especially NSV. Repigmentation persisted in 80% of patients at 1 year after cessation of phototherapy.

Impact on Quality of Life in Vitiligo Patients Treated with Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy

Context:

Vitiligo is a psychosocial problem which significantly affects quality of life in Indian scenario.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in quality of life in patients of vitiligo before and after treatment with narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy.

Subjects and Methods:

A total of 54 patients had completed the study. The age ranged between 16 and 70 years with a mean age of 26.77±14.2 years. The initial dose of NBUVB was 300 mJ/cm² in adults and 150 mJ/cm² in children twice weekly with 20% dose increment on subsequent visits. It was given for a maximum period of 6 months and was followed up for another 6 months to determine stability of repigmentation.

Results:

The average number of exposure given to the patients was 45.63±12.74 while the mean irradiation cumulative dose was 39.8 J/cm². Mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) of the vitiligo patients was 8.64±4.32 while those patients with acrofacial vitiligo had a mean DLQI of 11.78±5.61. After treatment with NBUVB, mean DLQI of all vitiligo patients was significantly reduced to 5.86±2.15 (P<0.01).

Conclusions:

This study showed that phototherapy had a positive therapeutic outcome in vitiligo, especially in younger patients. Even a small, depigmented lesion in a child could be psychosocially devastating.

Vitiligo: An Update on Pathophysiology and Treatment Options

The pathophysiology of vitiligo is becoming increasingly clarified. In non-segmental vitiligo, early factors include activation of innate immunity, inflammasome activation, oxidative stress, and loss of melanocyte adhesion. Nonetheless, the main mechanism leading to non-segmental vitiligo involves an immune-mediated destruction of melanocytes. Anti-melanocyte-specific cytotoxic T cells exert a central role in the final effector stage. Genetic research revealed a multi-genetic inheritance displaying an overlap with other autoimmune disorders. However, some melanocyte-specific genes were also affected. Segmental vitiligo carries a different pathogenesis with most evidence indicating a mosaic skin disorder. Current management includes topical corticosteroids and immunomodulators. Narrow-band ultraviolet B can be used in patients not responding to topical treatment or in patients with extensive disease. Pigment cell transplantation offers an alternative for the treatment of segmental vitiligo or stable non-segmental lesions. Recent findings have revealed new targets for treatment that could lead to more efficient therapies. Targeted immunotherapy may halt the active immune pathways, although combination therapy may still be required to induce satisfying repigmentation. A recently established core set of outcome measures, new measurement instruments, and biomarker research pave the way for future standardized clinical trials.

Repigmentation in vitiligo: position paper of the Vitiligo Global Issues Consensus Conference

The Vitiligo Global Issues Consensus Conference (VGICC), through an international e-Delphi consensus, concluded that 'repigmentation' and 'maintenance of gained repigmentation' are essential core outcome measures in future vitiligo trials. This VGICC position paper addresses these core topics in two sections and includes an atlas depicting vitiligo repigmentation patterns and color match. The first section delineates mechanisms and characteristics of vitiligo repigmentation, and the second section summarizes the outcomes of international meeting discussions and two e-surveys on vitiligo repigmentation, which had been carried out over 3 yr. Treatment is defined as successful if repigmentation exceeds 80% and at least 80% of the gained repigmentation is maintained for over 6 months. No agreement was found on the best outcome measure for assessing target or global repigmentation, therefore highlighting the limitations of e-surveys in addressing clinical measurements. Until there is a clear consensus, existing tools should be selected according to the specific needs of each study. A workshop will be conducted to address the remaining issues so as to achieve a consensus.

Vitiligo Skin Is Imprinted with Resident Memory CD8 T Cells Expressing CXCR3

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune depigmenting skin disorder that results from a loss of melanocytes. Multiple combinatorial factors have been involved in disease development, with a prominent role of the immune system, in particular T cells. After repigmentation, vitiligo frequently recurs in the same area, suggesting that vitiligo could involve the presence of resident memory T cells (T_RM). We sought to perform a thorough characterization of the phenotype and function of skin memory T cells in vitiligo. We show that stable and active vitiligo perilesional skin is enriched with a population of CD8 T_RM expressing both CD69 and CD103 compared with psoriasis and control unaffected skin. CD8 T_RM expressing CD103 are mainly localized in the epidermis. Expression of CXCR3 is observed on most CD8 T_RM in vitiligo, including the population of melanocyte-specific CD8 T cells. CD8 T_RM displayed increased production of IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α with moderate cytotoxic activity. Our study highlights the presence of functional CD8 T_RM in both stable and active vitiligo, reinforcing the concept of vitiligo as an immune memory skin disease. The CD8 T_RM that remain in stable disease could play a role during disease flares, emphasizing the interest in targeting this cell subset in vitiligo.

Phototherapy for Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

References to the expected treatment response to phototherapy would be helpful in the management of vitiligo because phototherapy requires long treatment durations over several months.

Objective

To estimate the treatment response of vitiligo to phototherapy.

Data Sources

A comprehensive database search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library from inception to January 26, 2016, was performed for all prospective studies. The main keywords used were vitiligo, phototherapy, psoralen, PUVA, ultraviolet, NBUVB, and narrowband.

Study Selection

All prospective studies reporting phototherapy outcome for at least 10 participants with generalized vitiligo were included. Of 319 studies initially identified, the full texts of 141 studies were assessed for eligibility, and 35 were finally included in the analysis. Of these, 29 studies included 1201 patients undergoing narrowband UV-B (NBUVB) phototherapy, and 9 included 227 patients undergoing psoralen-UV-A (PUVA) phototherapy.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Two reviewers independently extracted the following data: study design, number and characteristics of the participants, phototherapy protocol, and rate of repigmentation based on the quartile scale. Single-arm meta-analyses were performed for the NBUVB and PUVA groups. Sample size-weighted means were calculated using a random-effects model for the repigmentation rates of the included studies.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were at least mild (≥25%), at least moderate (≥50%), and marked (≥75%) responses on a quartile scale. Response rates were calculated as the number of participants who showed the corresponding repigmentation divided by the number of all participants enrolled in the individual studies.

Results

The meta-analysis included 35 unique studies (1428 unique patients). For NBUVB phototherapy, an at least mild response occurred in 62.1% (95% CI, 46.9%-77.3%) of 130 patients in 3 studies at 3 months, 74.2% (95% CI, 68.5%-79.8%) of 232 patients in 11 studies at 6 months, and 75.0% (95% CI, 60.9%-89.2%) of 512 patients in 8 studies at 12 months. A marked response was achieved in 13.0% (95% CI, 2.1%-23.9%) of 106 patients in 2 studies at 3 months, 19.2% (95% CI, 11.4%-27.0%) of 266 patients in 13 studies at 6 months, and 35.7% (95% CI, 21.5%-49.9%) of 540 patients in 9 studies at 12 months. For PUVA phototherapy, an at least mild response occurred in 51.4% (95% CI, 28.1%-74.7%) of 103 patients in 4 studies at 6 months and 61.6% (95% CI, 20.2%-100%) of 72 patients in 3 studies at 12 months. In the subgroup analyses, marked responses were achieved on the face and neck in 44.2% (95% CI, 24.2%-64.2%), on the trunk in 26.1% (95% CI, 8.7%-43.5%), on the extremities in 17.3% (95% CI, 8.2%-26.5%), and on the hands and feet in none after at least 6 months of NBUVB phototherapy.

Conclusions and Relevance

Long-duration phototherapy should be encouraged to enhance the treatment response in vitiligo. The greatest response is anticipated on the face and neck.

Depigmentation during vitiligo activity spares epithelial grafted areas

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is a depigmenting disease characterized by episodes of stability and activity without a fixed sequence, and active phases demonstrate immune attacks toward vulnerable melanocytes. Epithelial grafts were introduced to treat recalcitrant vitiligo patches aiming to provide new generations of melanocytes.

AIMS

The aim of study was to evaluate the possible permanency of succeeded epithelial grafts during a coming activity episode.

METHODS

This study included 20 nonsegmental vitiligo cases. They were epithelial grafted, success was maintained with the use of UV sessions for a year, and further follow-up was allowed until new phases of activity developed.

RESULTS

The grafted areas, in all cases, were spared during the activity episodes in spite of the development of new depigmented lesions in other parts of skin neighboring the grafted areas or in remote sites.

CONCLUSION

The permanency of epithelial grafts in spite of disease reactivity is a good sign and magnifies the value of surgical approaches in management of vitiligo. New genetically different melanocytes should have been provided and were able to resist the new immune attacks in spite of the yielding of other skin melanocytes.

Vitiligo: an evidence-based update. Report of the 13th Evidence Based Update Meeting, 23 May 2013, Loughborough, U.K

The Evidence Based Update (EBU) meetings are annual one-day meetings held by the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology at the University of Nottingham. The aim of the meeting is to discuss high-quality evidence, mainly in the form of systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, on a different topic each year. The meetings are designed to be interactive with a panel discussion between international experts and delegates forming a key part of the meeting. The 13th EBU meeting was on vitiligo and took place on 23 May 2013 in Loughborough, U.K. The most recent research including new and unpublished studies was presented on the classification of vitiligo, the evidence behind different treatment options and current guidelines for vitiligo.

Relapse after methylprednisolone oral minipulse therapy in childhood vitiligo: a 12-month follow-up study

Background:

Oral minipulse (OMP) therapy with methylprednisolone is presently one of the most common oral treatments used for progressive vitiligo in children. The treatment is usually given for a period of 6 months during which majority of patients are reported to go into remission. However, there are no follow-up studies to comment upon what happens to the disease after OMP therapy is withdrawn.

Aim of the study:

To document the incidence of relapse over a period of 1 year after OMP therapy is stopped in children with vitiligo.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted in 180 patients of childhood vitiligo (<15 years of age) who had been on OMP therapy with oral methylprednisolone for at least 6 months and who had achieved a complete remission of their disease during the treatment period. The enrolled patients were followed up for a period of 1 year and examined clinically for any sign of reactivation of their disease over either the old lesions or at any new area of the body.

Results:

Forty-two patients were lost and could not complete the follow-up period of 1 year. Out of the 138 patients available at the end of 1 year, relapse was observed in 48 patients (34.8%). Rest of 90 patients remained in remission over the follow-up period of 1 year. Relapse was more common in patients below 10 years of age (47.4%) as compared with older children (25.9%).

Conclusion:

Relapse after using methylprednisolone OMP therapy in children with vitiligo is quite common especially in younger age groups. Studies are needed to see whether these relapses could be avoided by giving the treatment for a period longer than 6 months.

Efeitos da aplicação do L.A.S.E.R. HeNe e do ultravioleta B no vitiligo

INTRODUÇÃO: O vitiligo é uma doença crônica despigmentante da pele, ocasionada pela perda funcional dos melanócitos da epiderme. Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar os efeitos da aplicação do L.A.S.E.R. HeNe e do ultravioleta B em pacientes com vitiligo. MÉTODO: Foram selecionados 22 pacientes (11 mulheres e 11 homens), com idade entre 12 e 60 anos (31,68 ± 16,29). Os pacientes foram distribuídos aleatoriamente, de acordo com a ordem de comparecimento no serviço e foram divididos randomicamente em dois grupos: o grupo A (n = 12), submetido à aplicação do L.A.S.E.R. HeNe, para o qual a técnica utilizada foi a pontual com aproximadamente 3 cm de distância entre cada ponto, perpendicularmente à pele, e o grupo B (n = 10), exposto ao Ultravioleta B, aplicado de forma perpendicular com 10 cm de afastamento da pele do paciente. Para mensuração da área tratada, utilizou-se o programa AUTOCAD 2002, no qual foi delimitada a borda da mácula em fotos tiradas no início e no fim do tratamento. RESULTADOS: Inicialmente, no grupo A, a área era de 4,87 cm² ± 3,70 e, após a aplicação, foi de 4,15 cm² ± 2,89, com diferença média de 0,72 cm² (1,89). No grupo B, verificou-se que antes da aplicação a média era de 5,36 cm² ± 6,36 e, a após a aplicação, foi de 4,43 cm² ± 5,17, com diferença média de 0,92 cm² ± 1,29. CONCLUSÃO: Ambos os aparelhos obtiveram resultados significativos na redução da mácula, com maior redução no grupo da ultravioleta.

Evidence-based, non-surgical treatments for vitiligo: a review

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by depigmented macules and patches secondary to the loss of functional melanocytes. It is a chronic disease that affects between 0.1% and 2% of the general population, affecting both sexes and all races. The appearance and the unpredictable course are psychologically and socially devastating. The success of current therapeutic options is limited. The objective of this review was to assess non-surgical treatments of vitiligo and to determine if comparing these studies can lead to (1) practical applications in the clinical setting and (2) recommendations for future research including study design and topics to be investigated further. Combination therapies were found to be more effective than monotherapy, and most combinations included a form of phototherapy, of which narrow-band-UVB was found to be most effective with the least adverse effects. Topical treatment with corticosteroids, immunomodulators, vitamin D analogs, and psoralens had mixed outcomes. Oral therapies including antioxidants were helpful adjuvants to treatment. Studies lacked consistent design, mechanism of disease assessment, and long-term follow-up. Sample size was also frequently limited. This review found that while several non-surgical therapies exist for the treatment of vitiligo, their usefulness, especially in the long term, is not well understood. Those studies that were able to elicit repigmentation often lacked an assessment on quality of life and/or patient satisfaction. More standardized methods of study design and assessment are needed to compare outcomes and make definitive conclusions on treatment effectiveness.

Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy in childhood vitiligo: evaluation of results in 28 patients

Phototherapy using narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) is considered among the treatments of choice in vitiligo, even in childhood. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the profile of safety and effectiveness of such therapy in a group of children. An open, uncontrolled study was performed on 28 children with vitiligo who were receiving narrow band UVB phototherapy. The children were classified according to vitiligo type and phototype. Family history and presence of thyroid disease were investigated. Eighteen patients had received other treatments that was stopped 3 months before starting phototherapy. Phototherapy was administered twice a week. The mean duration of therapy was 10 ± 3.4 months. The mean total dose administered was 156.12 ± 79.4 J/cm(2). Photographs of lesions were taken before and at the end of treatment. The response to phototherapy was expressed as percentage of repigmentation. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Fourteen percent of patients showed excellent response, 28.6% good response, 25% moderate response, and 28.6% mild response; the remaining 3.5% were not responsive. No side effects were observed except mild erythema requiring a decrease in dosage in a few patients. The results of the present study confirm those of other authors, with better results than adults probably related to good adherence of patients and their families. Nevertheless, high cumulative doses are not necessarily related to a good response. Therefore, we suggest stopping treatment after 6 months in nonresponding cases.