STRATA Excimer Laser and JAK Inhibitors Delivers Superior Vitiligo Repigmentation

A newly published investigator-initiated randomized controlled trial in the International Journal of Dermatology has demonstrated that combining STRATA Skin Sciences’ 308 nm Excimer laser with oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors results in superior clinical outcomes in adult patients with localized non-segmental vitiligo.¹ This multicenter study represents one of the largest clinical trials to date in vitiligo treatment and offers compelling evidence for the efficacy and safety of combination therapy over monotherapy or conventional treatment.

“This investigator-initiated study, which features a much larger patient population than normally seen in contemporary dermatology studies, highlights the continued interest in our Excimer laser technology, and the promise of combination therapy. It is even more encouraging in light of the fact that our technology has been in use for around 20 years. Dermatologists continue to rely on the superior performance of our Excimer technology for durable repigmentation in these difficult to manage immunomodulated skin conditions. The addition of JAK inhibiting treatments has enhanced the efficacy of the therapy without compromising safety, and repigmentation has shown high stability with very little relapse,” Dolev Rafaeli, PhD, CEO of STRATA, said in a statement.¹

The trial, titled "308nm Excimer Laser Combined with JAK Inhibitors for Adult Localized Non-Segmental Vitiligo: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial," explored the mechanistic and clinical synergy of combining phototherapy with immunomodulatory therapy in 251 participants.² Patients were randomized into 4 groups: combination therapy group (308 nm excimer laser + JAK inhibitors, n = 63), JAK inhibitor monotherapy group (n = 63), 308 nm excimer laser group (n = 63), and positive control group (n = 62).

Over the course of 52 weeks, the combination therapy group achieved remarkable improvements in repigmentation and disease stability, according to the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI), as well as positive safety outcomes. According to STRATA’s press release, 5 key findings from the study emerged:

• Mechanistic Synergy: The combined therapeutic effect stems from the complementary mechanisms of action. JAK inhibitors suppress interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)–driven CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity, which is central to vitiligo pathogenesis. In contrast, the Excimer laser promotes melanocyte migration and proliferation via ultraviolet (UV)-induced paracrine signaling molecules such as α-MSH and endothelin-1. This dual approach addresses both immune dysregulation and melanocyte restoration.
• Superior Efficacy: Patients in the combination group demonstrated 14.2% higher repigmentation compared to monotherapy, underscoring the synergistic treatment effect.
• Unprecedented Response Rates: The study reported a 100% significant efficacy rate in the combination group after 52 weeks of treatment, an outcome rarely seen in vitiligo trials.
• Durable Stability: At the 1-year follow-up, patients in the combination group showed the highest pigmentation stability (96.5%) and the lowest relapse rate (8.8%), significantly outperforming both monotherapy and control groups.
• Strong Safety Profile: No serious or persistent adverse events were observed in any treatment arm, reaffirming the safety of both the Excimer laser and JAK inhibitors when used together.

The 308 nm Excimer laser is also used for a range of immune-mediated skin conditions, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, and lichen planus. With 2 decades of peer-reviewed publications supporting its use, the latest trial supports the technology’s precision, durability, and safety, particularly when utilized with other therapies.

“These results were published in the last month, adding to a wealth of over 400 studies and/or peer-reviewed papers that exists in the literature today, which we believe to be a strong validation of our recent application for expanded reimbursement. Care providers continue to rely on the value of our approach, which in combination therapy with JAK inhibitors and other therapies, can be considered personalized medicine given the duration of the laser exposure and dosage of the corresponding treatment. We continue to work with regulators to provide expanded access to our treatment modality by the beginning of 2026,” Rafaeli concluded.¹

References

1. New Peer Reviewed Publication of Combination Therapy in Vitiligo with STRATA Skin Sciences’ Excimer Laser and JAK Inhibitors Demonstrated Superior Safety and Unprecedented Response Rates, Providing Continued Validation of Personalized Medicine Approach. News release. BioSpace. Published September 23, 2025. Accessed October 8, 2025. https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/new-peer-reviewed-publication-of-combination-therapy-in-vitiligo-with-strata-skin-sciences-excimer-laser-and-jak-inhibitors-demonstrated-superior-safety-and-unprecedented-response-rates-providing-continued-validation-of-personalized-medicine-approach

2. Qi Z, Zhang L, Chang S, Guo S, Zhang Y, Jiang G. 308 nm Excimer Laser Combined With JAK Inhibitors for Adult Localized Non-Segmental Vitiligo: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Dermatol. Published online July 19, 2025. doi:10.1111/ijd.17973