Immunomodulatory Effects of NB-UVB and Steroids in Vitiligo: A Study on CXCL11 and TEMRA Biomarkers

Expression of CXCL11 & TEMRA in Serum of Vitiligo Patients Treated With Narrow-band UVB

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT06946069

Enrollment

Registered

2025-04-27

Start date

2025-09-01

Completion date

2026-09-30

Last updated

2025-04-27

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

Conditions

NB-UVB, Vitiligo

Keywords

vitiligo, NB-UVB, CXCL11, TEMRA

Brief summary

this is a prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the immunological effects of narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy-both as monotherapy and in combination with oral mini-pulse (OMP) steroids-in non-segmental vitiligo patients. The study evaluates changes in CXCL11 (a chemokine involved in T-cell recruitment) and TEMRA (terminally differentiated effector memory T cells re-expressing CD45RA) levels in serum before and after treatment.

Detailed description

Design: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two parallel arms. Duration: Six months (including baseline and follow-up assessments). Setting: Outpatient dermatology clinic at Assiut University Hospital, Egypt. Objectives: Compare the immunomodulatory effects of NB-UVB alone vs. NB-UVB + OMP steroids in vitiligo patients. Assess CXCL11 and TEMRA levels as potential biomarkers for disease activity and treatment response. Evaluate clinical repigmentation using Vitiligo Extent Score (VES/VESplus). Methodology: 40 patients with stable non-segmental vitiligo will be enrolled. 20 patients will undergo serum analysis for CXCL11 and TEMRA via ELISA. Treatment arms: NB-UVB monotherapy (twice weekly). NB-UVB + OMP steroids (dexamethasone 2.5-3 mg/week). Follow-up: Clinical and immunological assessments at baseline and 6 months.

Interventions

RADIATIONNB-UVB twice weekly

Standard phototherapy without additional systemic treatment.

OTHERNB-UVB + dexamethasone (2.5-3 mg/week)

Combination therapy to enhance immunosuppression and repigmentation.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Intervention model description

This is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants are randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to one of two treatment arms: NB-UVB monotherapy (control group). NB-UVB + oral mini-pulse (OMP) steroids (intervention group). Both groups receive simultaneous but distinct interventions for direct comparison.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Clinically diagnosed non-segmental vitiligo (stable for ≥3 months). Fitzpatrick skin types III-V (common in the Egyptian population). No recent systemic therapy for vitiligo (within the last 3 months).

Exclusion criteria

Photosensitivity disorders (e.g., lupus, porphyria). Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Active infections, malignancies, or immunosuppressive conditions. History of hypertrophic scarring or melanoma.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Change in serum CXCL11 & TEMRA levels	6 months	Measured via ELISA before and after treatment.

Outcome results

None listed

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