Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes loss of pigmentation and affects millions worldwide, often impacting confidence, quality of life, and emotional well-being. As research into new treatment combinations accelerates, a recently published Phase 2 study offers encouraging insight into how ruxolitinib 1.5% cream and narrow-band UVB phototherapy (NB-UVB) may work together to support repigmentation. DelRicht Research investigator Dr. Ira Thorla, founder of Louisiana Dermatology Associates in Baton Rouge, contributed to this important advancement in vitiligo research.

About the Study

The exploratory, multicenter Phase 2 study (NCT05247489) evaluated whether adding NB-UVB phototherapy could enhance repigmentation in patients who had limited improvement after the first 12 weeks of ruxolitinib cream monotherapy. Ruxolitinib cream is an FDA-approved topical JAK inhibitor indicated for repigmentation in nonsegmental vitiligo. NB-UVB, a widely used phototherapy, is known to support repigmentation but often requires long treatment durations to achieve significant results.

A total of 55 patients aged 12 and older were enrolled across sites in the United States and Canada. All participants began treatment with ruxolitinib cream twice daily. At Week 12, those who had not achieved at least 25% improvement from baseline (T-VASI25) were transitioned into the combination-therapy arm, adding NB-UVB for up to 36 additional weeks.

Key Findings

The combination of ruxolitinib cream and NB-UVB demonstrated clear, progressive repigmentation over the 48-week treatment period, with no new safety concerns:

– 63.6% (35/55) of patients had <T-VASI25 at Week 12 and added NB-UVB

– Mean improvement in total VASI score increased from -7.9% at Week 12 to -50.4% at Week 48 among combination-therapy completers

– T-VASI50 and T-VASI75 response rates rose from 0% at Week 12 to 57.7% and 19.2%, respectively, at Week 48

– Facial repigmentation improved rapidly and consistently, with 96% of combination-therapy patients achieving F-VASI50 by Week 48

– Treatment was well tolerated, with no severe or serious treatment-related adverse events

A smaller group of patients who continued ruxolitinib cream monotherapy also showed meaningful improvement through Week 48, consistent with longer-term data from prior Phase 3 trials.

Overall, the study suggests that adding NB-UVB may help accelerate repigmentation in patients who respond more slowly to ruxolitinib cream alone, offering a potential path toward faster, more noticeable improvement.

Dr. Thorla’s Impact

With more than 27 years of dermatology experience and over 100 clinical trials conducted with DelRicht Research since 2018, Dr. Ira Thorla is widely recognized for his commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care. His practice, Louisiana Dermatology Associates, has become a regional leader in therapeutic advancement, consistently serving as a top-enrolling site across multiple dermatology indications.

Dr. Thorla’s participation in this study reflects his ongoing dedication to expanding treatment options for patients living with chronic skin conditions such as vitiligo.

Explore the Full Publication

The full manuscript, “Efficacy and Safety of Ruxolitinib Cream Combined With Narrow-Band UVB Phototherapy for Treatment of Vitiligo,” will soon be available in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

At DelRicht Research, we are proud to support investigators like Dr. Thorla who are helping move the science of dermatology forward. Through collaboration, innovation, and patient-centered research, we remain committed to bringing new possibilities to the individuals and families we serve.