0.005% Latanoprost Gel for Nonsegmental Vitiligo

Comparison of the Effectiveness Between a Combination of 0.005% Latanoprost Gel With 308 nm Excimer Phototherapy and a Combination of 0.1% Mometasone Furoate Cream With 308 nm Excimer Phototherapy on Repigmentation of Nonsegmental Vitiligo in Children

Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) analog used for glaucoma treatment, is known to cause iris darkening, hypertrichosis, and periocular skin hyperpigmentation. PGF2α has been shown to stimulate the growth of melanocyte dendrites, increasing dendricity even at low doses, as well as enhancing tyrosinase activity and quantity, thereby promoting repigmentation. Studies on the use of 0.005% latanoprost gel in both children and adults with vitiligo have demonstrated effective repigmentation without reported side effects.

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentation disorder caused by the progressive loss of melanocytes in the epidermal layer of the skin and/or mucosa, characterized by macules or patches of depigmentation. Vitiligo can occur at any age, including in childhood. Treatment options for vitiligo include medical therapies (topical, systemic, and radiation) as well as surgical approaches. A combination of topical corticosteroids and phototherapy has shown fairly good repigmentation success in treating vitiligo in children. However, long-term use can lead to side effects such as skin atrophy, striae, telangiectasia, hypopigmentation, acneiform eruptions, and hypertrichosis. Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) analog used for glaucoma treatment, is known to cause iris darkening, hypertrichosis, and periocular skin hyperpigmentation. Because of these effects, it has been studied as a treatment for alopecia and hypopigmentation disorders. PGF2α has been shown to stimulate the growth of melanocyte dendrites, increasing dendricity even at low doses, as well as enhancing tyrosinase activity and quantity, thereby promoting repigmentation. Studies on the use of 0.005% latanoprost gel in both children and adults with vitiligo have demonstrated effective repigmentation without reported side effects. To date, there have been no published studies in Indonesia investigating the use of 0.005% topical latanoprost gel for the repigmentation of stable vitiligo lesions in children. Therefore, research comparing the effectiveness of latanoprost gel and 0.1% mometasone furoate cream in combination with phototherapy-the mainstay treatment for pediatric vitiligo in Indonesia-is necessary.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with non-segmental vitiligo.

• Patients with stable vitiligo for at least 6 months based on the Vitiligo Disease Activity (VIDA) score.

• Aged 10-17 years.

• Affected area <10%.

• Having at least two lesions to be treated. The vitiligo lesions selected for treatment must meet the following criteria:

  1. Relatively the same size, ranging from a minimum of 1 cm² to 4 cm².
  2. Bilateral location on both sides of the body.
  3. A minimum distance of 5 cm between the studied lesions and other vitiligo lesions.
  4. Not located on the palms, soles, or genital area.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of topical therapy (corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, psoralen, and antioxidants) for at least 2 weeks before the study, systemic therapy (corticosteroids, antioxidants, and vitamin D) for at least 4 weeks before the study, and phototherapy for at least 4 weeks before the study.
• Presence of other active autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, alopecia areata, rheumatoid arthritis, or Addison's disease, based on medical history and physical examination.
• History of or current skin cancer, photosensitivity, or undergoing radiotherapy.
• Allergy or contraindication to topical corticosteroids or latanoprost.
• History of hypertension, asthma, diabetes mellitus, anemia, kidney, liver, neurological, or cardiovascular diseases.