Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy combined with intralesional injection of either latanoprost or platelet‐rich plasma for stable nonsegmental vitiligo

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundNarrowband ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) phototherapy is the cornerstone of vitiligo treatment. Its combination with other treatments usually yields a better response. Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2α analog, and autologous platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) have been reported to be effective for vitiligo.AimTo evaluate the efficacy of NB‐UVB combined with intralesional latanoprost or PRP for stable nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV).MethodsSixty patients with stable NSV were recruited and randomly allocated to two equal groups. NB‐UVB phototherapy was administered twice a week for all patients. Additionally, group A received intralesional latanoprost injections once weekly, while group B received intralesional autologous PRP injections every 2 weeks.ResultsAt 24 weeks, excellent repigmentation response was observed in 26.7% and 13.3% of patients in the latanoprost/NB‐UVB and PRP/NB‐UVB groups, respectively, with no significant difference in degrees of repigmentation between the two groups. However, the Vitiligo Extent Score for a Target Area (VESTA) score was significantly higher in the latanoprost/NB‐UVB group (p = .032). Moreover, lesions located on nonacral skin responded significantly better than those on acral skin. Only erythema was significantly higher in the PRP/NB‐UVB group, while the recurrence of depigmentation was significantly higher in the latanoprost/NB‐UVB group.ConclusionsBoth latanoprost and PRP have the potential to be effective add‐on therapies to NB‐UVB phototherapy for stable NSV, with latanoprost resulting in a greater repigmentation response and PRP producing a more stable response.