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Topical Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Vitiligo

Open Label Phase 2 Proof-of-concept Pilot Trial of Topical Ruxolitinib in Repigmenting Adult Patients With Vitiligo

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02809976
Enrollment
11
Registered
2016-06-22
Start date
2016-01-31
Completion date
2017-02-28
Last updated
2020-08-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Vitiligo

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if topical ruxolitinib 1.5% will provide repigmentation in vitiligo lesions.

Detailed description

The hypothesis is that JAK inhibitors can also successfully treat vitiligo. Lesional skin of both alopecia areata and vitiligo primarily contain T cells in a TH1 response as opposed to a mixed cell infiltrate such as in psoriasis or lichen planus. Both alopecia areata and vitiligo are TH1 mediated diseases dependent on the production of IFN-gamma to drive the response. CD8+ T cells are both necessary and sufficient for melanocyte destruction in vitiligo (van den Boorn JG et al 2009) and CD8+NKG2D+ T cells are also necessary and sufficient for hair loss in alopecia areata (Gilhar A et al 2013).

Interventions

DRUGRuxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate Cream

twice daily topical application of Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate Cream beginning at baseline and ending at week 20

Sponsors

Tufts Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Clinical diagnosis of vitiligo. * At Visit 1 (Baseline/Day 1), have had vitiligo covering at least 1% of total body surface area (BSA) on the scalp, trunk or limbs (excluding nails). * Female subjects of childbearing potential must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception throughout the study and for at least four weeks after the last dose of assigned treatment. Male subjects must also use contraception, such as barrier method with spermicide. * If receiving concomitant medications for any reason, must be on a stable regimen and willing to stay on a stable regimen. * Must be willing to washout of other vitiligo treatments. All treatments for vitiligo are prohibited during the course of the study.

Exclusion criteria

* Other skin conditions at Baseline that would interfere with evaluation of vitiligo. * Pregnant/breastfeeding females, or females of childbearing potential not using highly effective contraception. Women of childbearing potential must test negative for pregnancy and use contraception for at least four weeks after last dose of drug. * Current or recent history of clinically significant medical/psychiatric condition or laboratory abnormality that may increase risk associated with the study participation or drug administration. * Have a history of any lymphoproliferative disorder, lymphoma, leukemia, history of disseminated herpes zoster or disseminated herpes simplex, or a recurrent localized, dermatomal herpes zoster. * Have a history of infection requiring parenteral or oral or topical antimicrobial therapy within 2 weeks prior to Baseline. * Vaccinated with live/attenuated live vaccine within 6 weeks prior to Baseline. * Previously participated in study of oral/topical ruxolitinib or tofacitinib (tofacitinib, CP-690,550, formerly tasocitinib) unless confirmed to have been randomized to and treated with placebo or placebo topical formulation (vehicle) only. * Received a prohibited concomitant medication within 7 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to Baseline. * Have participated in other studies within 4 weeks or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to Visit 1 (Baseline/Day 1). Subjects cannot participate in studies of other investigational or experimental therapies or procedures at any time during their participation in this study. * Subjects who are investigational site staff members or relatives of those site staff members or subjects who are Sponsor employees directly involved in the conduct of the trial. * In the opinion of the investigator or Sponsor, the subject is inappropriate for entry into this study, or unwilling/unable to comply with study procedures and lifestyle guidelines. * Screening laboratory abnormalities * CYP Inhibitor Exclusion: Subjects taking potent CYP3A4 inhibitors or fluconazole within 2 weeks or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, before the baseline visit.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percent Change in Vitiligo Area Severity Index (VASI) Score From Baseline to Week 20Baseline to Week 20The VASI for each body region (hands, upper extremities, trunk, lower extremities, feet) is determined by the product of the area involved in hand prints and the extent of depigmentation within each hand print unit measured patch (0-100). Area involved is measured by hand prints (1 hand print = 1%) with a possible range of 0-100. Degree of depigmentation is measured as: 1.00 (100%) = complete depigmentation, no pigment present, 0.90(90%)=specks of pigment present, 0.75(75%)=depigmented area exceeds the pigmented area, 0.50(50%)=pigmented and depigmented areas are equal, 0.25(25%)=pigmented area exceeds depigmented area, 0.10(10%)=only specks of depigmentation present, and 0.0(0%)=no depigmentation present.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Subjects Who Achieve a Physician Global Vitiligo Assessment (PGVA) of Clear or Almost ClearBaseline and Week 20
Percent Change in Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) Assessment - Body Surface AreaBaseline and Week 20Vitiligo European Task Force assessment consisted of three components: Extent of disease reflecting the body surface area (0-100%), disease staging (0-20), and disease progression (-5 +5). Staging is based on cutaneous and hair pigmentation assessing the largest patch in each body area (head/neck, trunk, arms, legs, and hands/feet); Stage 0=normal pigmentation, Stage 1=incomplete pigmentation, Stage 2=complete depigmentation, Stage 3= partial hair whitening (\<30%), Stage 4= complete hair whitening. Disease progression is based on assessing the largest patch in each body area; Score 0= similar limits, Score 1= progressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical depigmentation), Score -1= regressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical repigmentation). Where a higher number indicates more severe disease spread and a negative number indicates improving disease. These three subsets are evaluated and reported independently and not mutually related to each other.
Percent Change in Body Surface Area (BSA) of RepigmentationBaseline and Week 20Area involved is measured by hand prints (1 hand print = 1%) with a possible range of 0-100.
Percent Change in Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) Assessment - Disease StagingBaseline and Week 20Vitiligo European Task Force assessment consisted of three components: Extent of disease reflecting the body surface area (0-100%), disease staging (0-20), and disease progression (-5 +5). Staging is based on cutaneous and hair pigmentation assessing the largest patch in each body area (head/neck, trunk, arms, legs, and hands/feet); Stage 0=normal pigmentation, Stage 1=incomplete pigmentation, Stage 2=complete depigmentation, Stage 3= partial hair whitening (\<30%), Stage 4= complete hair whitening. Disease progression is based on assessing the largest patch in each body area; Score 0= similar limits, Score 1= progressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical depigmentation), Score -1= regressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical repigmentation). Where a higher number indicates more severe disease spread and a negative number indicates improving disease. These three subsets are evaluated and reported independently and not mutually related to each other.
Percent Change in Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) Assessment - Disease ProgressionBaseline and Week 20Vitiligo European Task Force assessment consisted of three components: Extent of disease reflecting the body surface area (0-100%), disease staging (0-20), and disease progression (-5 +5). Staging is based on cutaneous and hair pigmentation assessing the largest patch in each body area (head/neck, trunk, arms, legs, and hands/feet); Stage 0=normal pigmentation, Stage 1=incomplete pigmentation, Stage 2=complete depigmentation, Stage 3= partial hair whitening (\<30%), Stage 4= complete hair whitening. Disease progression is based on assessing the largest patch in each body area; Score 0= similar limits, Score 1= progressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical depigmentation), Score -1= regressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical repigmentation). Where a higher number indicates more severe disease spread and a negative number indicates improving disease. These three subsets are evaluated and reported independently and not mutually related to each other.
Mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) ScoresBaseline and Week 20DLQI is calculated by summing the score of each question resulting in a maximum of 30 and a minimum of 0. The higher the score, the more quality of life is impaired. The percent change was calculated from the mean DLQI at baseline and week 20

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate Cream
Ruxolitinib 1.5% phosphate cream twice daily to vitiligo patches. Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate Cream: twice daily topical application of Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate Cream beginning at baseline and ending at week 20
11
Total11

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up1
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject1

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicRuxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate Cream
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
11 Participants
Age, Continuous52 years
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
4 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
7 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
4 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
4 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
11 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
6 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 11
other
Total, other adverse events
9 / 11
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 11

Outcome results

Primary

Percent Change in Vitiligo Area Severity Index (VASI) Score From Baseline to Week 20

The VASI for each body region (hands, upper extremities, trunk, lower extremities, feet) is determined by the product of the area involved in hand prints and the extent of depigmentation within each hand print unit measured patch (0-100). Area involved is measured by hand prints (1 hand print = 1%) with a possible range of 0-100. Degree of depigmentation is measured as: 1.00 (100%) = complete depigmentation, no pigment present, 0.90(90%)=specks of pigment present, 0.75(75%)=depigmented area exceeds the pigmented area, 0.50(50%)=pigmented and depigmented areas are equal, 0.25(25%)=pigmented area exceeds depigmented area, 0.10(10%)=only specks of depigmentation present, and 0.0(0%)=no depigmentation present.

Time frame: Baseline to Week 20

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate CreamPercent Change in Vitiligo Area Severity Index (VASI) Score From Baseline to Week 2023 percentage of change in VASI
p-value: 0.02paired t-test
Secondary

Mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Scores

DLQI is calculated by summing the score of each question resulting in a maximum of 30 and a minimum of 0. The higher the score, the more quality of life is impaired. The percent change was calculated from the mean DLQI at baseline and week 20

Time frame: Baseline and Week 20

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate CreamMean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) ScoresWeek 203 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.46
Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate CreamMean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) ScoresBaseline2.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.67
Secondary

Number of Subjects Who Achieve a Physician Global Vitiligo Assessment (PGVA) of Clear or Almost Clear

Time frame: Baseline and Week 20

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate CreamNumber of Subjects Who Achieve a Physician Global Vitiligo Assessment (PGVA) of Clear or Almost Clear2 Participants
Secondary

Percent Change in Body Surface Area (BSA) of Repigmentation

Area involved is measured by hand prints (1 hand print = 1%) with a possible range of 0-100.

Time frame: Baseline and Week 20

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate CreamPercent Change in Body Surface Area (BSA) of Repigmentation11.2 percentage of changeStandard Deviation 26.4
Secondary

Percent Change in Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) Assessment - Body Surface Area

Vitiligo European Task Force assessment consisted of three components: Extent of disease reflecting the body surface area (0-100%), disease staging (0-20), and disease progression (-5 +5). Staging is based on cutaneous and hair pigmentation assessing the largest patch in each body area (head/neck, trunk, arms, legs, and hands/feet); Stage 0=normal pigmentation, Stage 1=incomplete pigmentation, Stage 2=complete depigmentation, Stage 3= partial hair whitening (\<30%), Stage 4= complete hair whitening. Disease progression is based on assessing the largest patch in each body area; Score 0= similar limits, Score 1= progressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical depigmentation), Score -1= regressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical repigmentation). Where a higher number indicates more severe disease spread and a negative number indicates improving disease. These three subsets are evaluated and reported independently and not mutually related to each other.

Time frame: Baseline and Week 20

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate CreamPercent Change in Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) Assessment - Body Surface Area11.2 percent change in body surface areaStandard Deviation 26.4
Secondary

Percent Change in Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) Assessment - Disease Progression

Vitiligo European Task Force assessment consisted of three components: Extent of disease reflecting the body surface area (0-100%), disease staging (0-20), and disease progression (-5 +5). Staging is based on cutaneous and hair pigmentation assessing the largest patch in each body area (head/neck, trunk, arms, legs, and hands/feet); Stage 0=normal pigmentation, Stage 1=incomplete pigmentation, Stage 2=complete depigmentation, Stage 3= partial hair whitening (\<30%), Stage 4= complete hair whitening. Disease progression is based on assessing the largest patch in each body area; Score 0= similar limits, Score 1= progressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical depigmentation), Score -1= regressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical repigmentation). Where a higher number indicates more severe disease spread and a negative number indicates improving disease. These three subsets are evaluated and reported independently and not mutually related to each other.

Time frame: Baseline and Week 20

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate CreamPercent Change in Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) Assessment - Disease Progression-0.5 percent of changeStandard Deviation 1.1
Secondary

Percent Change in Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) Assessment - Disease Staging

Vitiligo European Task Force assessment consisted of three components: Extent of disease reflecting the body surface area (0-100%), disease staging (0-20), and disease progression (-5 +5). Staging is based on cutaneous and hair pigmentation assessing the largest patch in each body area (head/neck, trunk, arms, legs, and hands/feet); Stage 0=normal pigmentation, Stage 1=incomplete pigmentation, Stage 2=complete depigmentation, Stage 3= partial hair whitening (\<30%), Stage 4= complete hair whitening. Disease progression is based on assessing the largest patch in each body area; Score 0= similar limits, Score 1= progressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical depigmentation), Score -1= regressive vitiligo (ongoing subclinical repigmentation). Where a higher number indicates more severe disease spread and a negative number indicates improving disease. These three subsets are evaluated and reported independently and not mutually related to each other.

Time frame: Baseline and Week 20

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ruxolitinib 1.5% Phosphate CreamPercent Change in Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) Assessment - Disease Staging4.5 percent change in disease staging scoreStandard Deviation 2.4

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026