Modern approaches to vitiligo treatment

Abstract

Vitiligo is an acquired hypomelanosis with an occurrence frequency of 0.1%-2% among adults and children worldwide. Currently, vitiligo is considered as a multifactorial disease associated with genetic factors, environmental factors, autoimmune mechanisms, oxidative stress and a destruction of melanogenesis with the formation of clearly defined hypopigmented macules on the skin. According to the modern classification, vitiligo is divided into two main forms: non-segmental and segmental. To facilitate the diagnosis of vitiligo, Wood’s lamp, dermatoscopy, histopathological examination can be used. The choice of vitiligo therapy depends on the activity of the process, the skin phototype, prevalence and the clinical form of the disease. The basis of vitiligo therapy is topical agents, suppressing an inflammation: topical steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, JAK inhibitors; phototherapy, which is used to stimulate melanogenesis. The given article reviews the indications and effectiveness of various methods of vitiligo treatment, new approaches included.

Keywords

• vitiligo
• pathogenesis
• topical therapy
• phototherapy