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

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). Further therapeutic approaches are desired and currently being evaluated. 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.