Can a common arthritis drug help restore skin color in vitiligo?
NCT ID NCT04237103
First seen Feb 01, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 22 times
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested whether adding methotrexate (a drug used for arthritis) to standard light therapy helps people with active vitiligo regain skin color. Thirty-two adults with symmetrical vitiligo covering at least 10% of their body took part. Half received methotrexate plus light therapy, the other half a placebo plus light therapy. The main goal was to measure changes in skin repigmentation using the VASI score.
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Centre Hospitalier de Pau
Pau, 64000, France
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Centre Hospitalier de Périgueux
Périgueux, 24000, France
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Service de Dermatologie - CHU de Toulouse - Hopital Purpan
Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse Cedex, France
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Service de Dermatologie - Hôpital Saint-André
Bordeaux, Bordeaux, 33075, France
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
methotrexate (oral capsules once a week) plus narrow-band UVB phototherapy
What this could lead to
If it works, this combination could offer a more effective way to restore skin color in people with active vitiligo.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 32 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Methotrexate can have side effects like nausea or liver issues.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.