Next Steps for Upadacitinib in Nonsegmental Vitiligo, With Thierry Passeron, MD, PhD

Upadacitinib’s impact over 48 weeks on patients with nonsegmental vitiligo is highlighted in recent findings presented at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, with investigators identifying no new safety signals or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) during this treatment period.1

These findings from the Viti-Up-1 and Viti-Up-2 studies led to an interview on-site at AAD between the HCPLive team and Viti-Up trial investigator Thierry Passeron, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology at the Université Côte d'Azur in Nice, France.2 In this additional segment, Passeron was asked several additional questions about the data, including his view on the future of this research.

“In fact, we are looking forward to the longer-term results, because now the study is continuing in open-label for 2 years,” Passeron explained. “After 2 years, the patient who wants to can combine with narrow-band UV-B [treatment]. We are already seeing, in my department, that [the patient numbers] continue to grow. But while we must wait for the results, and I'm quite optimistic also that when we combine with narrow-band UV-B, it will boost the recommendation.”

Passeron was also asked how he might counsel patients who are seeking complete clearance of their nonsegmental vitiligo. He stressed the importance of managing the expectations of such patients, noting that vitiligo is not the same as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. Passeron noted that a patient cannot expect to have clearance 16 or even 24 weeks, describing monotherapy as time-consuming.

Later, Passeron was also asked whether there had been any differences among racial subgroups observed in the Viti-Up studies. He noted there was not yet a subgroup analysis, though such data may be released in time. He also noted the importance of looking at the different results among younger vs older patients.

“[I've been] working on vitiligo for more than 25 years, and we are very excited for the patients already,” Passeron said. “…Already, the results for [upadacitinib] are very good.”

For any additional information on these new data or their discussion with Passeron, view his full interview segment posted above.

Passeron is a consultant for AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Calypso, Galderma, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roivant, UCB, and VYNE Therapeutics. He has received grants and/or honoraria from AbbVie, ACM Pharma, Almirall, Amgen, Astellas, Bristol Myers Squibb, Calypso, Celgene, Galderma, Genzyme/Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roivant, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, UCB, and VYNE Therapeutics. He is the cofounder of NIKAIA Pharmaceuticals and the founder of SUNLUTION, and holds patents on WNT agonists or GSK3β antagonists for repigmentation of vitiligo and on the use of CXCR3B blockers in vitiligo.

References

1. Passeron T, Prajapati V, Seneschal J, et al. Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in adolescents and adults for treatment of non-segmental vitiligo: results of two phase 3 studies (Viti-Up). Presented at: 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27-31, 2026; Denver, CO.

2. Passeron T. Upadacitinib safe, effective over 48 weeks for non-segmental vitiligo, with Thierry Passeron, MD, PhD. HCPLive. March 30, 2026. Accessed April 1, 2026. https://www.hcplive.com/view/upadacitinib-safe-effective-48-weeks-non-segmental-vitiligo-thierry-passeron-md-phd