A Scoping Review of Pathogenesis, Current Treatments, and Novel Approaches for Vitiligo

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder characterized by loss of melanocytes, causing depigmentation and psychological distress. Its pathogenesis is complex and multifactorial, involving genetic predisposition, autoimmune, oxidative stress, and neurogenic mechanisms. Aims This scoping review summarizes current understanding of vitiligo pathogenesis and provides an overview of available and emerging treatment modalities. Methods A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO Medline for English-language publications from January 2019 onwards. Eligible studies included those investigating the pathogenesis, therapeutic approaches, or novel strategies for idiopathic vitiligo across all age groups and clinical types. Exclusion criteria included secondary vitiligo due to drugs, comorbidities, or systemic diseases, as well as studies involving pregnant or lactating women and those reporting negative findings. Results The search identified 5298 relevant articles. Established therapies include topical and oral agents, phototherapy, surgical interventions, and combination regimens. Recent advances highlight novel therapeutic targets and experimental interventions, many of which are not yet approved but show promising preliminary outcomes. These include immune-modulating agents, antioxidants, and regenerative strategies aimed at restoring melanocyte function

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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