Topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone in vitiligo: a preliminary experience.

BACKGROUND Despite recent significant therapeutic advances, vitiligo remains a clinical conundrum. Topical immunotherapy has been extensively tested in the treatment of various dermatologic disorders, especially those believed to have an immunologic basis. AIM To evaluate the role of topical diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) in the treatment of vitiligo. METHODS Nineteen patients with limited vitiligo lesions were enrolled in this study. After sensitization with 2% lotion of DPCP in acetone, progressively higher concentrations beginning at 0.001% up to 2% were applied weekly for 6 months to the depigmented skin lesions. RESULTS Thirteen of the 19 patients were evaluated at the end of 6 months. Four patients with focal vitiligo, one patient with vitiligo vulgaris, and three patients with segmental vitiligo showed marked (grade 3) repigmentation. CONCLUSION Marginal and central repigmentation with hyperpigmented borders was seen in the majority of lesions. Further controlled trials should be undertaken to evaluate the use of topical DPCP in vitiligo.