Afamelanotide and Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) Light in the Treatment of Nonsegmental Vitiligo

The investigational product, afamelanotide, is a synthetic analogue of the human alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). The earliest described function of alpha-MSH is its ability to stimulate melanin synthesis in the skin and therefore stimulate pigmentation. Vitiligo is the most common depigmentation disorder. Interventions in the treatment of vitiligo include phototherapy with narrow-band (NB) ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation (NB-UVB).

The purpose of this study is to look at the efficacy of afamelanotide, when combined with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) light, in patients with nonsegmental vitiligo. Afamelanotide is expected to speed up the repigmentation induced by NB-UVB light, leading to reducing frequency and doses of NB-UVB.

Inclusion criteria

• Male and female subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of nonsegmental vitiligo with 15% to 50% of total body surface involvement
• Stable or slowly progressive vitiligo over a 3-month period
• Aged 18 or more
• Fitzpatrick skin types III-VI
• Willing and able to comply with the conditions specified in this protocol and study procedures in the opinion of the Investigator
• Providing written Informed Consent prior to the performance of any study-specific procedure

Exclusion criteria

• Fitzpatrick skin types I-II
• Vitiligo involving the hands and feet only
• Extensive leukotrichia, in the opinion of the Investigator
• Vitiligo of more than 5 years duration
• Allergy to afamelanotide or the polymer contained in the implant or to lignocaine/lidocaine or other local anaesthetic to be used during the administration of the implant
• Previous treatment with topical immunomodulators (corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors) for vitiligo within 4 weeks prior to the Screening Visit
• History of photosensitivity disorders
• Claustrophobia
• History of photosensitive lupus
• Any active and/or unstable autoimmune disease judged to be clinically significant by the Investigator
• History of melanoma or lentigo maligna
• History of dysplastic nevus syndrome
• Any malignant skin lesions
• Any skin disease that may interfere with the study evaluation
• Any evidence of organ dysfunction or deviation from normal in clinical or laboratory determinations judged to be clinically significant by the Investigator
• History of systemic or psychiatric disease judged to be clinically significant by the Investigator and which may interfere with the study evaluation
• Female who is pregnant (confirmed by positive β-HCG pregnancy test) or lactating
• Female of child-bearing potential (pre-menopausal, not surgically sterile) not using adequate contraceptive measures (i.e. oral contraceptives, diaphragm plus spermicide, intrauterine device) during the trial and for a period of three months thereafter
• Sexually active man with a partner of child-bearing potential not using barrier contraception during the trial and for a period of three months hereafter
• Participation in a clinical trial for an investigational agent within 30 days prior to the Screening Visit
• Use of any prior and concomitant therapy which may interfere with the objective of the study, including drugs that cause photosensitivity or skin pigmentation within 60 days prior to the Screening Visit
• Subjects assessed as not suitable for the study in the opinion of the Investigator