The multicenter trial showed the combination therapy offered superior efficacy, rapid repigmentation, and a strong safety profile compared to monotherapy.
A study published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that combining a 308nm excimer laser with an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor demonstrated superior efficacy and high response rates for treating adult localized non-segmental vitiligo when compared to monotherapy.
The multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 251 patients and showed that the combination therapy resulted in more rapid, durable repigmentation with an excellent safety profile. According to STRATA Skin Sciences, which markets a 308nm excimer laser, the findings add to a large body of clinical evidence for the technology in treating immunomodulated skin conditions. The company notes the study also supports its efforts to secure expanded reimbursement for indications including vitiligo and psoriasis.
The study counts five key findings relating to theย combination of excimer laser and JAK inhibitor:
- Mechanistic Synergyย โ pointing out that theย synergy likely arises as JAK inhibitors suppress IFN-ฮณโdriven CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity, whereas excimer laser promotes melanocyte migration through UV-induced paracrine signals like ฮฑ-MSH and endothelin-1.
- Superior Efficacyย โ showingย a 14.20% higher repigmentation, indicating synergistic effects.
- Response Ratesย โ followingย 52 weeks of treatment, had a 100% significant efficacy rate.
- Durable Stabilityย –ย At one-year follow-up, the combination group demonstrated the highest pigmentation stability (96.5%) and lowest relapse rate (8.8%), outperforming the monotherapy and control groups.
- Safety Profileย –ย No serious or persistent adverse events occurred.
โThis investigator-initiated study, which features a much larger patient population than normally seen in contemporary dermatology studies, highlights the continued interest in our excimer laser technology and the promise of combination therapy,โ says Dr Dolev Rafaeli, CEO of STRATA Skin Sciences, in a release. โ….The addition of JAK-inhibiting treatments has enhanced the efficacy of the therapy without compromising safety, and repigmentation has shown high stability with very little relapse.โ
The trial adds to over 400 existing studies and peer-reviewed papers on the technology. โThese results…we believe to be a strong validation of our recent application for expanded reimbursement,โ adds Rafaeli in the release. โ….We continue to work with regulators to provide expanded access to our treatment modality by the beginning of 2026.โ
With over two decades of published data, excimer laser therapy is established as a targeted treatment option for several inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases, including vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata.
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