Topical tacalcitol and 308-nm monochromatic excimer light: a synergistic combination for the treatment of vitiligo.
OBJECTIVE
To study and compare the efficacy of combined 308-nm monochromatic excimer light (MEL) therapy with tacalcitol vs. that of MEL 308-nm therapy alone in treatment of vitiligo.


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients with vitiligo were enrolled in a single-blind, within patient controlled clinical trial. Symmetrical or nearby lesions were randomly applied with either topical tacalcitol cream or vehicle. Each lesion was treated weekly with the 308-nm MEL, for a total of 12 sessions. Patients were examined at monthly intervals. The mean number of sessions and the cumulative dosage for initial repigmentation were calculated.


RESULTS
Thirty-five patients were evaluated. Treatment with tacalcitol and MEL resulted in higher percentages for excellent repigmentation (25.7%) compared with vehicle and MEL (5.7%) (P<0.05). Percentages for total response were 71.4% and 60%, respectively (P>0.05). The mean+/-SEM cumulative dose and number of excimer light exposures for initial repigmentation were, respectively, 3.93+/-0.59 J/cm2 and 4.52+/-0.49 at the tacalcitol side, and, respectively, 4.99+/-0.68 J/cm2 and 5.3+/-0.52 at the vehicle side (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results have shown that concurrent topical tacalcitol potentiates the efficacy of the 308-nm MEL in the treatment of vitiligo, and that this combination achieves earlier pigmentation with a lower total dosage.
Lu-yan
Tang
T
Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Wen-wen
Fu
F
Lei-hong
Xiang
X
Yi
Jin
J
Zhi-zhong
Zheng
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols; C023850:1 alpha,24-dihydroxyvitamin D3