title: Topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone in vitiligo: a preliminary experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite recent significant therapeutic advances, vitiligo remains a clinical conundrum. Topical immunotherapy has been extensively tested in the treatment of various dermatologic disorders, especially those believed to have an immunologic basis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the role of topical diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) in the treatment of vitiligo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients with limited vitiligo lesions were enrolled in this study. After sensitization with 2% lotion of DPCP in acetone, progressively higher concentrations beginning at 0.001% up to 2% were applied weekly for 6 months to the depigmented skin lesions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen of the 19 patients were evaluated at the end of 6 months. Four patients with focal vitiligo, one patient with vitiligo vulgaris, and three patients with segmental vitiligo showed marked (grade 3) repigmentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Marginal and central repigmentation with hyperpigmented borders was seen in the majority of lesions. Further controlled trials should be undertaken to evaluate the use of topical DPCP in vitiligo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran. shahinaghaei@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Shahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aghaei
authors.forename: Gholamreza Safaee
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ardekani
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003521:Cyclopropanes; C029402:diphenylcyclopropenone