Could a drug plus light therapy reverse vitiligo? new trial tests the combo

NCT ID NCT04822584

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University Hospital, Bordeaux Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial tested whether adding the oral drug baricitinib to phototherapy (light treatment) helps restore skin color in adults with progressive vitiligo. 49 participants received either baricitinib plus phototherapy or a placebo plus phototherapy for 36 weeks. The main goal was to measure changes in the amount of skin affected by vitiligo using the VASI score.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Baricitinib (an oral drug that calms the immune system) plus phototherapy (light treatment)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option that helps restore skin color in people with progressive vitiligo.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study (49 people) with no comparison to a standard treatment group. Results may not apply to everyone, and baricitinib can have side effects like infections.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

vitiligo

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

VITILIGO

Contacts and locations

Locations

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice - Service de Dermatologie

Nice, 06000, France
Service de Dermatologie - Hôpital Saint-André

Bordeaux, Bordeaux, 33075, France
Service de dermatologie - Hôpital Henri Mondor - EA EpiDermE (Epidémiologie en Dermatologie et Evaluation des Thérapeutiques)

Créteil, 94010, France
Service de dermatologie Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares de la Peau et des muqueuses d'origine génétique - Hôpital Larrey

Toulouse, 31059 cedex 9, France

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