308 nm UV excimer light in monotherapy or combined to topical khellin 4% and/or tacrolimus 0.1% in the treatment of vitiligo

Many therapeutic options have been suggested for the treatment of vitiligo including non-surgical and surgical modalities. Non-surgical modalities, considered the first line therapy, include topical, intra-lesional and systemic corticosteroids, topical and oral psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), topical khellin 3%-4%-5%, broadband and narrow-band UVB (311 nm UVB phototherapy), and recently, topical immunomodulators (TIMs. e.g. tacrolimus, pimecrolimus), 308 nm excimer laser and light (MEL, monocheromatic excimer light). Thirtytwo patients affected by vitiligo were selected in this open comparative study: they were subdivided into 4 groups of 8 patients each: Group I (Control Group) included 4 man and 4 women, aged 16-70 years (mean age: 41.2 years), treated with MEL; Group II included 3 man and 5 women, aged 13-70 years (mean age: 37.7 years), treated with MEL associated with topical khellin 4%; Group III included 5 men and 3 women, aged 31-61 years (mean age: 44 years) treated with MEL associated with topical tacrolimus 0.1%; Group IV included 4 men and 4 women, aged 10-72 years (mean age. 45 years) treated with MEL associated with topical khellin 4% and tacrolimus 0.1%. Results seemed more favourable towards Group III which included patients treated with MEL and topical tacrolimus 0.1% presented an overall best response rate if compared to the other groups. In fact, the results of Group IV-patients treated with MEL combined to topical khellin 4% and tacrolimus 0.1% were not up to the authors higher expectations, taking into account the novel association not yet described in literature.