Upadacitinib Restores Vitiligo Skin Color in 25% of Patients After 48 Weeks
Updated
Updated · ScienceAlert · Aug 23
Upadacitinib Restores Vitiligo Skin Color in 25% of Patients After 48 Weeks
3 articles · Updated · ScienceAlert · Aug 23
Summary
Two Lancet trials in 614 patients found a once-daily 15 mg upadacitinib pill restored at least 75% of lost facial color in 25% and 23% of treated patients, versus 6% and 7% on placebo after 48 weeks.
Body-wide improvement also beat placebo: 19% and 21% of treated patients regained at least half of lost color across affected areas, and 14% regained at least 90% of facial color, compared with 2% to 3% on placebo.
The JAK inhibitor works throughout the body rather than on individual patches, potentially making it more practical for widespread vitiligo or hard-to-reach areas than creams or repeated light-therapy visits.
Limits remain significant: about three-quarters of patients missed the main facial target, seven treated patients developed shingles, serious adverse events reached 4% in one trial, and the drug already carries warnings for infections, cancer, heart problems and blood clots.
The drug is now approved in the European Union for eligible patients aged 12 and older, but longer follow-up over another 112 weeks is needed to test durability, long-term safety and how it compares with existing treatments.