and vitiligo wherein interferon gamma is a key player, the use of tacrolimus 0.3% lotion was extrapolated to help treat recalcitrant scalp and beard vitiligo.
Advantages of using tacrolimus 0.3% lotion may be increased penetration, possible application in hair-bearing areas, and easier application over larger surface areas. The drawback of this study is limited sample size, lack of therapeutic controls, and unknown long-term safety.
We hope this study will encourage larger scale research trials to help provide alternative topical therapeutic non-steroidal options for patients with long-standing vitiligo in challenging areas such as scalp and beard.
Advantages of using tacrolimus 0.3% lotion may be increased penetration, possible application in hair-bearing areas, and easier application over larger surface areas. The drawback of this study is limited sample size, lack of therapeutic controls, and unknown long-term safety.
We hope this study will encourage larger scale research trials to help provide alternative topical therapeutic non-steroidal options for patients with long-standing vitiligo in challenging areas such as scalp and beard.
DISCLOSURES
David Rosmarin has received honoraria as a consultant for AbbVie, Abcuro, AltruBio, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Celgene, Concert, Dermavant, Dermira, Incyte, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharmaceuticals, UCB, VielaBio; has received research support from AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Celgene, Dermira, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc; and has served as a paid speaker for AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Sanofi. No other authors have any conflicts of interest to report.
IRB approval status: Reviewed and approved by Tufts Health Sciences Institutional Review Board; approval # 00001292
IRB approval status: Reviewed and approved by Tufts Health Sciences Institutional Review Board; approval # 00001292
REFERENCES
1. Arora CJ, Rafiq M, Shumack S, et al. The efficacy and safety of tacrolimus as mono- and adjunctive therapy for vitiligo: A systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Australas J Dermatol. 2020;61(1): e1-e9.
2. Cavalié M, Ezzedine K, Fontas E, et al. Maintenance therapy of adult vitiligo with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment: a randomized, double blind, placebocontrolled study. J Invest Dermatol. 2015;135(4):970-974.
3. Grimes PE, Morris R, Avaniss-Aghajani E, et al. Topical tacrolimus therapy for vitiligo: therapeutic responses and skin messenger RNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51(1):52-61.
4. Milam EC, Ramachandran S, Franks AG Jr. Treatment of scarring alopecia in discoid variant of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus with tacrolimus lotion, 0.3. JAMA Dermatol. 2015 Oct;151(10):1113-6. Erratum in: JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(8):912.
2. Cavalié M, Ezzedine K, Fontas E, et al. Maintenance therapy of adult vitiligo with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment: a randomized, double blind, placebocontrolled study. J Invest Dermatol. 2015;135(4):970-974.
3. Grimes PE, Morris R, Avaniss-Aghajani E, et al. Topical tacrolimus therapy for vitiligo: therapeutic responses and skin messenger RNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51(1):52-61.
4. Milam EC, Ramachandran S, Franks AG Jr. Treatment of scarring alopecia in discoid variant of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus with tacrolimus lotion, 0.3. JAMA Dermatol. 2015 Oct;151(10):1113-6. Erratum in: JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(8):912.
AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE
Sandhya Deverapalli MD drsandhyac@gmail.com
