Phototherapy as a useful therapeutic option in the treatment of diphenylcyclopropenone-induced vitiligo

Topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone-induced vitiligo

Topical immunotherapy made by diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is an alternative treatment that can be used safely and efficaciously in recalcitrant alopecia areata patients. DPCP-induced vitiligo is a rare, but documented, unwanted side effect. The real mechanism of DPCP-induced vitiligo is not well known.

Diphenylcyclopropenone-induced vitiligo in a patient with alopecia universalis

Alopecia areata and vitiligo are autoimmune diseases, both associated with multiple autoimmune comorbidities. Many studies show colocalization of these diseases at the same anatomical site. Here, we have a case where both disorders were reported to present in the same patient. Diphenylcyclopropenone (diphencyprone, DCP) is used in the treatment of alopecia areata and may induce vitiligo in some patients. We report on one case of vitiligo that was induced by DCP during therapy for alopecia universalis. Alopecia areata and vitiligo share many susceptibility genes. Follicular melanocyte destruction may represent the link between the two diseases.

Diphencyprone induced vitiligo: a case report

Diphencyprone (DCP) is a contact sensitizer which is used to treat dermatological disorders with an immunological origin, such as extensive alopecia areata (AA). Vitiligo is a rare but known side effect of DPCP therapy which is formed in the treatment site or remote areas. In this paper a 37-year-old man developed alopecia totalis with loss of eyebrows and eyelashes who presented some vitiligo patches on his scalp and arm distant from the location of DPCP application and a 42-year-old woman with 25 years history of hair loss and 3 months DPCP application who revealed some vitiligo patches on the scalp with distant to the site of application at the 6th week are reported. Considering the absence of personal and family history of Vitiligo in our two cases, the hypothesis of latent Vitiligo is not proved. The positive patch test in left arm of one of the patients also suggests the direct role of DPCP as the cause of Vitiligo occurrence. As the development of vitiligo by DCP is unpredictable and the depigmentation may persist indefinitely, it is important to inform all patients about this potential adverse effect before starting the treatment.