2024-04-17 05:30:56
Since January 31, 2024, patients have benefited from a new immunotherapy treatment for vitiligo, available in the form of a cream. A tremendous breakthrough for patients suffering from this skin disease, which affects between 0.5 and 1% of the world population.
A cream that targets the skin’s depigmentation mechanism
In 2023, a drug obtains the first marketing authorization against I vitiligo them and Europe, le ruxolitinib. This is a immunotherapy drug, available in the form of a cream. It is applied twice a day to depigmented skin areas. Vitiligo is a chronic dermatological disease of autoimmune origin, frequently associated with autoimmune thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
The appearance of depigmented white spots, characteristic of the disease, is linked to the destruction of melanocytes, these skin cells which secrete melanin, the skin pigment. With the new immunotherapy treatment, the process of melanocyte destruction is directly targeted. It therefore limits depigmentation of the skin.
Read also – Mites: responsible for the appearance of vitiligo?
Ruxolitinib, an effective and well-tolerated drug
Vitiligo is considered a benign disease, but is particularly disabling, with a considerable impact on the quality of life and psychological health of patients.
To know ! Contrary to popular belief, vitiligo does not increase the risk of developing melanoma. On the contrary, epidemiological studies have shown that the risk of developing melanoma is reduced in patients with vitiligo, compared to the general population.
Until now, vitiligo treatments combined two types of therapies: active phase treatments at the time of vitiligo flare-ups and repigmentation treatments. Most often, treatments for flare-ups combine corticosteroids and UVB phototherapy. Once the outbreak has subsided, repigmentation of the skin is only possible with exposure to UVB.
Ruxolitinib has shown good efficacy and tolerability in clinical trials. Its effectiveness is particularly important on facial lesions, and to a lesser extent on body lesions. Clinical studies are currently underway to evaluate the benefit of combining ruxolitinib with UVB, with rather promising initial results. At the same time, drugs with the same mechanism of action as ruxolitinib but administered orally are under development and clinical evaluation.
Read also – Vitiligo: The benefits of phototherapy
A direct access medication
After the marketing authorization in April 2023, the HAS decided in favor of reimbursement of the cream against vitiligo in November 2023. While waiting for the drug to be available in town pharmacies, it is accessible for patients as part of the so-called direct access procedure, in hospital pharmacies, where it is reimbursed 100% by Health Insurance.
Ruxolitinib is prescribed by dermatologists for patients, adults and adolescents over 12 years old, with non-segmental vitiligo, that is to say vitiligo affecting both sides of the body, including the face. The cream should be applied twice a day, to a maximum of 10% of the body during a single application. A therapeutic innovation which constitutes a tremendous advance for patients suffering from this stigmatizing pathology.
Read also – Focus on vitiligo on the occasion of World Day
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
– Opzelura finally available for vitiligo in France! French Vitiligo Association. www.afvitiligo.com. Accessed April 8, 2024.
– OPZELURA: ruxolitinib cream to treat vitiligo. www.vidal.fr. Accessed April 8, 2024.
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#immunotherapy #cream #vitiligo