Lack of Efficacy of Tacrolimus in the Treatment of Vitiligo in the Absence of UV-B Exposure

Treatment Outcomes of Topical Calcineurin Inhibitor Therapy for Patients With Vitiligo

“…The difference in treatment response of TCI monotherapy and TCI combined with phototherapy was particularly evident in sun-protected areas of the body (ie, the trunk and extremities). Our findings are consistent with recent reports on Janus kinase inhibitors showing the improved treatment response with the concomitant use of NBUVB, and reaffirm the synergistic role of phototherapy and TCI treatment . The treatment of vitiligo may require melanocyte induction via UV exposure as well as suppression of the autoimmune response .…”

“…Our findings are consistent with recent reports on Janus kinase inhibitors showing the improved treatment response with the concomitant use of NBUVB, 71,72 and reaffirm the synergistic role of phototherapy and TCI treatment. 73 The treatment of vitiligo may require melanocyte induction via UV exposure as well as suppression of the autoimmune response. 71 Tacrolimus-induced endothelin B receptor expression in melanoblasts and UV-B-induced endothelin secretion from keratinocytes can serve as a theoretical basis for this synergism.…”

Segmental vitiligo: A randomized controlled trial to evaluate efficacy and safety of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment vs 0.05% fluticasone propionate cream

“…[11] In this study, no statistically significant correlation could be made between the response to treatment and the site of involvement, disease progression or duration of disease in either group.…”

Efficacy of topical calcineurin inhibitors in vitiligo

“…One open study of 110 patients demonstrated that greater than 75% repigmentation occurred in the face of 40% of patients, 23% in the extremities, 21.5% in the trunk, but only in 1% of lesions on the hands and feet and none in genital lesions . Additional studies are listed in Table …”