Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (731 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A disorder consisting of areas of macular depigmentation, commonly on extensor aspects of extremities, on the face or neck, and in skin folds. Age of onset is often in young adulthood and the condition tends to progress gradually with lesions enlarging and extending until a quiescent state is reached.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Hypopigmentation
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 7,380 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Vitiligo” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 2,095 of them (28.4%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 2,187 records.
Reviews account for 1,091 records (14.8%) and meta-analyses for 151. Randomized controlled trials number 303 (4.1%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 1,874 |
| 2000-2009 | 1,224 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,187 |
| 2020 onward | 2,095 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 1,091 | 14.8% |
| Meta-analyses | 151 | 2.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 303 | 4.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Vitiligo"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in bones, joints, muscles and skin
Joint, bone, muscle and skin conditions are often judged by pain scores, function questionnaires, imaging or photographs, and symptoms can fluctuate, so placebo response and natural improvement matter. Imaging changes are common in people without symptoms. Nothing on this page is advice about treatment. Check how outcomes were measured, whether the comparison group received a placebo or usual care, and how long the benefit lasted.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exosomes: The emerging mechanisms and potential clinical applications in dermatology | 2024 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 70 | cc by PMID 38481799 · DOI · PMC10929203 |
| Vitiligo, from Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Advances: State of the Art | 2023 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 57 | cc by PMID 36902341 · DOI · PMC10003418 |
| Rational design of a JAK1-selective siRNA inhibitor for the modulation of autoimmunity in the skin | 2023 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 53 | cc by PMID 37925520 · DOI · PMC10625637 |
| Efficacy of Janus kinase inhibitor combined with phototherapy in non-segmental vitiligo: systematic review and meta-analysis | 2026 | Meta-analysis Design not recorded in structured metadata | 4 | cc by PMID 41454839 · DOI · PMC12777791 |
Exosomes: The emerging mechanisms and potential clinical applications in dermatology [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Skin tissue, composed of epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, is the largest organ of the human body.
- Closing excerpt
- This will provide a novel perspective of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of dermatosis.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (259 words)
Skin tissue, composed of epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, is the largest organ of the human body. It serves as a protective barrier against pathogens and physical trauma and plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis. Skin diseases, such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and vitiligo, are prevalent and can seriously impact the quality of patient life. Exosomes are lipid bilayer vesicles derived from multiple cells with conserved biomarkers and are important mediators of intercellular communication. Exosomes from skin cells, blood, and stem cells, are the main types of exosomes that are involved in modulating the skin microenvironment. The dysregulation of exosome occurrence and transmission, as well as alterations in their cargoes, are crucial in the complex pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases. Therefore, exosomes are promising diagnostic and therapeutic targets for skin diseases. Importantly, exogenous exosomes, derived from skin cells or stem cells, play a role in improving the skin environment and repairing damaged tissues by carrying various specific active substances and involving a variety of pathways. In the domain of clinical practice, exosomes have garnered attention as diagnostic biomarkers and prospective therapeutic agents for skin diseases, including psoriasis and vitiligo. Furthermore, clinical investigations have substantiated the regenerative efficacy of stem cell-derived exosomes in skin repair. In this review, we mainly summarize the latest studies about the mechanisms and applications of exosomes in dermatology, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, diabetic wound healing, hypertrophic scar and keloid, and skin aging. This will provide a novel perspective of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of dermatosis.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38481799 · DOI · PMC10929203
Vitiligo, from Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Advances: State of the Art [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Vitiligo is an acquired hypopigmentation of the skin due to a progressive selective loss of melanocytes; it has a prevalence of 1-2% and appears as rounded, well-demarcated white macules.
- Closing excerpt
- The aim of this paper is, by conducting a narrative review of the literature, to analyze the pathogenesis of vitiligo and the most recent treatments available for this condition.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (134 words)
Vitiligo is an acquired hypopigmentation of the skin due to a progressive selective loss of melanocytes; it has a prevalence of 1-2% and appears as rounded, well-demarcated white macules. The etiopathology of the disease has not been well defined, but multiple factors contribute to melanocyte loss: metabolic abnormalities, oxidative stress, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Therefore, a convergence theory was proposed that combines all existing theories into a comprehensive one in which several mechanisms contribute to the reduction of melanocyte viability. In addition, increasingly in-depth knowledge about the disease's pathogenetic processes has enabled the development of increasingly targeted therapeutic strategies with high efficacy and fewer side effects. The aim of this paper is, by conducting a narrative review of the literature, to analyze the pathogenesis of vitiligo and the most recent treatments available for this condition.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 36902341 · DOI · PMC10003418
Rational design of a JAK1-selective siRNA inhibitor for the modulation of autoimmunity in the skin [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Inhibition of Janus kinase (JAK) family enzymes is a popular strategy for treating inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases.
- Closing excerpt
- This work establishes a path toward siRNA treatments as a new class of therapeutic modality for inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (157 words)
Inhibition of Janus kinase (JAK) family enzymes is a popular strategy for treating inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases. In the clinic, small molecule JAK inhibitors show distinct efficacy and safety profiles, likely reflecting variable selectivity for JAK subtypes. Absolute JAK subtype selectivity has not yet been achieved. Here, we rationally design small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that offer sequence-specific gene silencing of JAK1, narrowing the spectrum of action on JAK-dependent cytokine signaling to maintain efficacy and improve safety. Our fully chemically modified siRNA supports efficient silencing of JAK1 expression in human skin explant and modulation of JAK1-dependent inflammatory signaling. A single injection into mouse skin enables five weeks of duration of effect. In a mouse model of vitiligo, local administration of the JAK1 siRNA significantly reduces skin infiltration of autoreactive CD8+ T cells and prevents epidermal depigmentation. This work establishes a path toward siRNA treatments as a new class of therapeutic modality for inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 37925520 · DOI · PMC10625637
Efficacy of Janus kinase inhibitor combined with phototherapy in non-segmental vitiligo: systematic review and meta-analysis [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundVitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease causing skin depigmentation and psychosocial issues.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionsJAK inhibitor plus NB-UVB markedly improves the repigmentation in adult NSV compared to NB-UVB alone.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (181 words)
BackgroundVitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease causing skin depigmentation and psychosocial issues. Non-segmental vitiligo often shows limited response to standard therapies. The IFN-γ-JAK-STAT pathway plays a key role, and combining JAK inhibitors with NB-UVB may improve repigmentation.AimTo evaluate the efficacy of JAK inhibitors (baricitinib or tofacitinib) plus NB-UVB versus NB-UVB without JAK inhibitors in adult NSV.MethodsPubMed, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched till August 2024 for randomized controlled trials. Four studies, comprising 217 adults (121 in the combination group and 96 in the control group), were analyzed using RevMan 5.4. Bias was assessed via Newcastle-Ottawa, Cochrane ROB-2, and ROBINS-I tools.ResultsCombination therapy significantly reduced total VASI compared to controls (MD = -4.96, 95% CI [-9.29, -0.63], p = 0.02), with a greater effect on sensitivity analysis (MD = -6.84, p = 0.0007). Significant reductions were seen in face/neck (MD = -0.17, p = 0.002), trunk (MD = -3.62, p = 0.0001); acral (MD = -0.85, p = 0.0002) and extremity (MD = -4.61, p p p = 0.006) repigmentation.ConclusionsJAK inhibitor plus NB-UVB markedly improves the repigmentation in adult NSV compared to NB-UVB alone.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41454839 · DOI · PMC12777791
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Vitiligo-like depigmentation in patients with stage III-IV melanoma receiving immunotherapy and its association with survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Vitiligo: Mechanisms of Pathogenesis and Treatment [6]
- Research article Mechanisms of melanocyte death in vitiligo [7]
- Research article Vitiligo: A focus on pathogenesis and its therapeutic implications [8]
- Research article Phototherapy for Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Psychosocial Effects of Vitiligo: A Systematic Literature Review [10]
Full-text reviews on EvidenceLib
Open-access review articles about this topic, reproduced in full with authors, licence and references.
A systematic review of case series and clinical trials investigating systemic oral or injectable therapies for the treatment of vitiligo
Alireza Jafarzadeh, Arash Pour Mohammad, Mina Khosravi et al. · Skin Research and Technology 2024 · CC BY 4.0
A Systematic Review of Case Series and Clinical Trials Investigating Regenerative Medicine for the Treatment of Vitiligo
Alireza Jafarzadeh, Arash Pour Mohammad, Azadeh Goodarzi · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024 · CC BY 4.0
Beyond skin white spots: Vitiligo and associated comorbidities
Zhonghui Hu, Tao Wang · Frontiers in Medicine 2023 · CC BY 4.0
Vitiligo and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Assiya Kussainova, Laura Kassym, Almira Akhmetova et al. · PLoS ONE 2020 · CC BY 4.0
Autoimmunity in Segmental Vitiligo
Reinhart Speeckaert, Jo Lambert, Vedrana Bulat et al. · Frontiers in Immunology 2020 · CC BY 4.0
References
- Yu H, Feng H, Zeng H, Wu Y, Zhang Q, Yu J, et al.. Exosomes: The emerging mechanisms and potential clinical applications in dermatology. . 2024. PMID 38481799 · DOI · PMC10929203
- Diotallevi F, Gioacchini H, De Simoni E, Marani A, Candelora M, Paolinelli M, et al.. Vitiligo, from Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Advances: State of the Art. . 2023. PMID 36902341 · DOI · PMC10003418
- Tang Q, Fakih HH, Zain Ui Abideen M, Hildebrand SR, Afshari K, Gross KY, et al.. Rational design of a JAK1-selective siRNA inhibitor for the modulation of autoimmunity in the skin. . 2023. PMID 37925520 · DOI · PMC10625637
- Shuaib L, D Rai K, K Sangtiani A, Ishtiaq J, Mubeen M, Saeed A, et al.. Efficacy of Janus kinase inhibitor combined with phototherapy in non-segmental vitiligo: systematic review and meta-analysis. . 2026. PMID 41454839 · DOI · PMC12777791
- Teulings HE, Limpens J, Jansen SN, Zwinderman AH, Reitsma JB, Spuls PI, et al.. Vitiligo-like depigmentation in patients with stage III-IV melanoma receiving immunotherapy and its association with survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Oncol. 2015. PMID 25605840 · DOI
- Frisoli ML, Essien K, Harris JE. Vitiligo: Mechanisms of Pathogenesis and Treatment. Annu Rev Immunol. 2020. PMID 32017656 · DOI
- Chen J, Li S, Li C. Mechanisms of melanocyte death in vitiligo. Med Res Rev. 2021. PMID 33200838 · DOI · PMC7983894
- Bergqvist C, Ezzedine K. Vitiligo: A focus on pathogenesis and its therapeutic implications. J Dermatol. 2021. PMID 33404102 · DOI
- Bae JM, Jung HM, Hong BY, Lee JH, Choi WJ, Lee JH, et al.. Phototherapy for Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2017. PMID 28355423 · DOI · PMC5817459
- Ezzedine K, Eleftheriadou V, Jones H, Bibeau K, Kuo FI, Sturm D, et al.. Psychosocial Effects of Vitiligo: A Systematic Literature Review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021. PMID 34554406 · DOI · PMC8566637
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.