New Vitiligo Treatment Approved in Europe, Awaiting Israeli Clearance

A new systemic treatment for vitiligo, a chronic autoimmune skin condition causing white patches, has been approved in the European Union. The drug, Rinvoq (upadacitinib), taken once daily as a tablet, is indicated for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with non-segmental vitiligo who are candidates for systemic therapy.

Clinical trials demonstrated significant improvements in skin repigmentation. After 48 weeks, approximately 23-25% of patients on Rinvoq achieved at least a 75% improvement in facial pigmentation, compared to 6-7% on placebo. For overall body pigmentation, 19-22% of patients saw at least a 50% improvement, versus about 6% in placebo groups. These results indicate partial restoration of skin color, not a complete cure.

Rinvoq belongs to the JAK inhibitor class, affecting immune system pathways involved in vitiligo. While effective, JAK inhibitors carry potential risks including serious infections, blood clots, cardiac events, and certain cancers, necessitating careful medical supervision and individual risk-benefit assessment.

The drug has been submitted for registration in Israel, but approval from the Ministry of Health is still pending, and its availability in the country remains uncertain. Even if approved, its inclusion in the national health basket will be evaluated separately.