Topical mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of vitiligo: a pilot study

Dermatology Practical & Conceptual
Farhad HandjaniNasrin Saki

Abstract

Vitiligo is a multifactorial disease that is characterized by circumscribed depigmented macules and patches. Autoimmune reactions may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Mycophenolate mofetil is a drug that inhibits DNA synthesis in lymphocytes and has been used in autoimmune diseases such as immunobullous skin diseases, lupus erythematosus, and autoimmune hepatitis. The objective of this study was to show the efficacy of topical mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of vitiligo. Thirty patients with limited vitiligo were enrolled in this study. The patients applied a topical preparation of mycophenolate mofetil 15% twice daily for three months and at the end of every month, repigmentation was assessed using the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI). At the end of the third month, 36.6 % (n=11) of the patients showed about 25% repigmentation of the lesions. No side effects were observed throughout the study. This study showed that topical mycophenolate mofetil can be somewhat effective in the treatment of vitiligo; however, it seems to be inferior to potent topical steroids in inducing repigmentation.

Methods Mentioned

BETA
glycosylation

Software Mentioned

SPSS

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis formerly called lupoid hepatitis, is a chronic, autoimmune disease of the liver that occurs when the body's immune system attacks liver cells causing the liver to be inflamed. Discover the latest research on autoimmune hepatitis here.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur as a result of an attack by the immune system on the body’s own tissues resulting in damage and dysfunction. There are different types of autoimmune diseases, in which there is a complex and unknown interaction between genetics and the environment. Discover the latest research on autoimmune diseases here.