For patients with active nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV), oral ritlecitinib is effective and well tolerated over 48 weeks, according to a study published online Nov. 9 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology .

Khaled Ezzedine, M.D., Ph.D., from the Hôpital Henri Mondor and Université Paris-Est Créteil, and colleagues examined the efficacy and safety of ritlecitinib in patients with active NSV in a phase 2b trial. A total of 364 patients were randomly assigned to once-daily oral ritlecitinib ± a four-week loading dose (200/50 mg, 100/50 mg), oral ritlecitinib without a loading dose (50 mg, 30 mg, or 10 mg), or placebo for 24 weeks in the dose-ranging period. In a 24-week extension period, 187 patients received ritlecitinib 200/50 mg daily.

The researchers found that the percentage change from baseline in the Facial-Vitiligo Area Scoring Index differed significantly from placebo for the ritlecitinib 50 mg group with or without a loading dose (–21.2 and –18.5, respectively, versus 2.1) and the ritlecitinib 30 mg group (–14.6 versus 2.1). In the extension period, accelerated improvement was seen after treatment with ritlecitinib 200/50 mg. Across the 48-week treatment, there were no dose-dependent trends observed in treatment-emergent or serious adverse events.

"This phase 2 trial suggests ritlecitinib is an effective and well tolerated treatment for patients with active NSV," the authors write. "As indicated by data during the extension period, longer treatment duration may be required for optimal repigmentation."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, which manufactures ritlecitinib and funded the study.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)