A study conducted in collaboration with four key laboratories of dermatology, Beijing Center (China-Japan Friendship Hospital), Shanghai Center (Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University), Suzhou Center (Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University) and Hainan Center (Boao Super Hospital) recently published the results of a study on the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib cream in the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo in Chinese patients. The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, provides for the first time real-world data on the use of this topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor in the Chinese population.
Background of vitiligo and Ruxolitinib cream
Vitiligo is a common depigmentation disorder that affects nearly 20 million people in China, causing severe psychological and social distress. Conventional therapies have limited efficacy. Ruxolitinib cream is a JAK1/2 inhibitor that has been approved by the US FDA and EU EMA for the treatment of facial nonsegmental vitiligo, but its performance in the Chinese population has not been previously documented.
Study design and results
The study is a retrospective, single-arm, single-center real-world study conducted in the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, involving 111 patients aged 12 years or older with non-segmental vitiligo who were affected by vitiligo with a body surface area (BSA) of 10% or less. The results were striking: after 24 weeks, 49.5% of patients had a 75% improvement in the Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI), with 64.9% improving by 50% and 17.1% by 90%. In addition, 13.6% of patients found a 50% increase in the Total Vitiligo Area Score Index (T-VASI). The most common adverse events reported were mild pruritus, acne, and skin peeling at the application site.
Impact and future work
This study marks the first practical application of imported topical drugs in China, which is of great significance for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo. The National Medical Products Administration of China has approved the use of ruxolitinib cream based on these real-world study data. Further research and clinical trials are expected to explore the long-term effects and optimal treatment options of this promising therapy.
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