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.