WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8, 2025 -- For patients with nonsegmental vitiligo, ritlecitinib alone and with add-on narrow-band ultraviolet B (nbUVB) phototherapy improves facial and total body repigmentation, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Yuji Yamaguchi, M.D., Ph.D., from Pfizer Inc. in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and colleagues examined the efficacy and tolerability of ritlecitinib with nbUVB for patients with nonsegmental vitiligo. After a 24-week, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging period, patients received ritlecitinib 200 mg for four weeks, then 50 mg for 20 weeks, with or without nbUVB phototherapy twice per week. Overall, 43 and 187 patients received ritlecitinib+nbUVB and ritlecitinib monotherapy, respectively; nine patients receiving ritlecitinib+nbUVB discontinued due to nbUVB group-specific efficacy criteria.

The researchers found that for ritlecitinib+nbUVB versus ritlecitinib monotherapy, the mean percentage change from baseline (CFB) in the Facial-Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) score was −57.0 versus −51.5 (handling missing data with last observation carried forward [LOCF]; P = 0.158) and −69.6 versus −55.1 (handling missing data using observed case [OC]; P = 0.009). At week 24, the mean percentage CFB in total-VASI was −29.4 versus −21.2 (LOCF; P = 0.043) and −46.8 versus −24.5 (OC; P < 0.001). The addition of nbUVB to ritlecitinib was well tolerated, with no new safety signals reported.

"Ritlecitinib alone and with nbUVB therapy improved facial and total body repigmentation in patients with nonsegmental vitiligo," the authors write. "Add-on nbUVB phototherapy appeared to improve ritlecitinib efficacy, and further investigation is warranted."

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