Oral mycophenolate mofetil as a stabilizing treatment for progressive non-segmental vitiligo: results from a prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded pilot study

Dexamethasone oral mini-pulse (OMP) is commonly used to halt progression of non-segmental vitiligo (NSV). There is an unmet need for non-phototherapy, non-corticosteroid therapeutic options for stabilizing actively spreading NSV. To assess the efficacy of oral mycophenolate mofetil in stabilizing active NSV in comparison to OMP. In this prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded study, 50 patients of active vitiligo [baseline vitiligo disease activity (VIDA) score 4] were randomized into two groups in 1:1 ratio. Group A received oral dexamethasone (2.5 mg on two successive days a week) and group B received mycophenolate mofetil (up to 2 g) for 180 days with a treatment-free follow-up period of 90 days. Assessment was done using VIDA, number of new lesions in past 30 days, and Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI). Arrest of disease progression was defined as the absence of any new lesions in past 30 days. Twenty-five patients received OMP (group A, 11 males, 14 females), and 25 received mycophenolate (group B, 12 males, 13 females). In both groups, Kruskal-Wallis revealed a significant trend for reduction in VIDA and the number of new lesions in last 30 days, over the treatment and follow-up duration when compared to baseline (p < 0.001). The first significant reduction in VIDA was noticed on 90th day in groups A and B (p < 0.001). In both groups, VIDA reduced significantly at the 180th day compared to baseline (p < 0.001, WMP), only to increase significantly at the 270th day (p < 0.001, WMP). VIDA in group B was marginally higher at 270 days than group A (p 0.03; Mann-Whitney). Eighteen and 17 patients achieved VIDA 2 + on the 180th day in groups A and B, respectively. The mean number of new lesions in last 30 days reduced significantly in both groups at the 180th day (p < 0.001) and 270th day [p < 0.001; Wilcoxon matched pairs (WMP)] when compared to baseline; but increased significantly at the 270th day compared to the 180th day (p 0.006 WMP). Twenty patients in group A and 18 patients in group B had arrest of the disease activity with treatment. Mean duration to arrest disease progression was 47.2 ± 12.1 days in group A, and 52.5 ± 9.3 days in group B; p 0.21. The difference between VASI at baseline and VASI at the 180 and 270th days was non-significant in both groups (p 0.18 WMP). Five patients in each group failed the respective treatments. Acne (n = 3), weight gain (n = 3), headache, insomnia and menstrual irregularity (n = 1 each) were the important adverse effects noted with dexamethasone pulse; whereas nausea (n = 6) and diarrhea (n = 4) were the commonest adverse effects noted with mycophenolate. Two patients in group B discontinued treatment because of leucopenia (n = 1) and transaminitis (n = 1) that resolved after the discontinuation of mycophenolate. Both OMP and mycophenolate mofetil halt actively spreading vitiligo, and have distinct adverse effect profiles. These should be offered in progressive vitiligo, especially in circumstances precluding the use of phototherapy. Relapse occurred significantly earlier with mycophenolate, and relapse rate was higher (though non-significant) than dexamethasone OMP. The repigmentation potential is minimal for both therapies. This study was approved by Institute Ethics Committee, and retrospectively registered with clinical trial registry of India (CTRI/2018/02/011,664).

Keywords: Achieving stability in vitiligo; Immunosuppressants in vitiligo; Mycophenolate; Mycophenolate mofetil; Vitiligo.