Oral JAK inhibitors appear effective and safe in the treatment of vitiligo, according to a retrospective study evaluating real-world outcomes in nearly 100 patients. The findings suggest that extended treatment duration may improve repigmentation outcomes without introducing major safety concerns.
The study assessed 96 individuals with vitiligo who had received oral JAK inhibitors for at least three months. Of these, 86 patients, representing 89.6%, demonstrated some degree of repigmentation. The overall response rate, defined as achieving greater than 25 percent repigmentation, was 55.2%. A smaller proportion, 9.4%, achieved marked repigmentation of at least 76%.
Investigators performed multivariable logistic regression to identify predictive factors for treatment response. Age, a history of prior phototherapy, and therapy with oral JAK inhibitors for more than six months emerged as independent predictors of improved outcomes. Patients who continued treatment beyond the six-month mark were more likely to experience meaningful repigmentation compared to those treated for shorter durations.
Importantly, no severe adverse events were observed during the study period, adding further support to the safety profile of oral JAK inhibitors in this patient population. While these results are encouraging, the authors caution that the study was limited to a single center and a relatively modest sample size, highlighting the need for broader investigations to confirm the findings.
Overall, the results underscore the potential role of oral JAK inhibitors as an effective therapeutic option for vitiligo, particularly for patients able to sustain therapy beyond six months. These data provide valuable real-world insights for clinicians considering oral JAK inhibitors in the management of vitiligo and may inform future treatment strategies aimed at optimizing repigmentation outcomes.
Reference: Shi X et al. Real world effectiveness and safety of oral Janus kinase inhibitor in vitiligo: a retrospective study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025 Sep 19:S0190-9622(25)02875-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2025.09.055. Online ahead of print.
