Treatment of vitiligo with narrow-band UVB and topical gel containing catalase and superoxide dismutase.

Narrow-band UVB has been reported to be efficacious in patients with vitiligo. The epidermis of patients with vitiligo showed reduction in the levels of catalase, in association with high levels of hydrogen peroxidase (H2O2) that is toxic for melanocytes. Based on these findings, we studied the efficacy and safety of a topical gel containing catalase and superoxide dismutase (Vitix) in combination with narrow-band UVB. The study included 22 patients of which 19 completed the 6-month study period. Patients applied the gel containing catalase and superoxide dismutase twice a day and received narrow-band UVB 3 times per week. Two different dermatologists evaluated the grade of repigmentation by photograph comparison. At the end of therapy, more than 50% of overall repigmentation was noticed in 11 of 19 (57.9%) patients. More than 75% repigmentation was recorded in three (15.79%), 26%-50% repigmentation in six (31.58%) patients and 1%-25% repigmentation in one (5.26%) patient, whereas one (5.26%) of 19 patients showed no repigmentation at all. The best response was achieved on the face and neck, with more than 50% repigmentation observed in 11 of 14 (78.6%) patients. Development of new lesions was not observed. Adverse events were mild and transient. The study showed that the combination therapy of narrow-band UVB and gel containing catalase and dismutase is a therapeutic option that could be considered in the management of vitiligo. Further evaluation of this combination in multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies should be undertaken.