title: Failure of alefacept in the treatment of vitiligo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitiligo is a common acquired pigmentary disorder with a profound psychosocial impact. The exact pathogenesis of vitiligo is not fully understood; however, vitiligo appears to be an autoimmune disease involving T-cell-mediated melanocyte destruction. Recently, complete clearance of coexisting vitiligo without recurrence over 2 years was reported in 2 psoriasis patients treated with alefacept.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of alefacept in the treatment of vitiligo.
  
  
  METHODS
  After providing informed written consent, 4 adult patients with widespread vitiligo (covering a body surface area ≥5%) were treated with weekly intramuscular injections of 15 mg alefacept for 12 weeks. All patients were monitored clinically, by laboratory investigation, and by digital image analysis. All patients were followed up with for 24 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients tolerated alefacept well, without any adverse events. None of the patients showed any repigmentation. However, 1 patient developed new depigmented patches during treatment with alefacept.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A pilot study with a small number of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alefacept as a monotherapy for vitiligo treatment did not result in any patient improvement, and further evaluation in larger studies may be required.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Salman Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkarj, Saudi Arabia. dr_bindayel@hotmail.com
authors: Salman
authors: S
authors: Bin Dayel
authors: Khalid
authors: K
authors: AlGhamdi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000077944:Alefacept; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000077944:Alefacept