The failure of L-phenylalanine and UVA in the treatment of vitiligo

Abstract

Sixteen patients with generalized vitiligo were treated with oral L-phenylalanine and UVA (PAUVA). The patients were treated twice weekly for six months, taking 50 mg/kg body weight of phenylalanine 45 minutes before exposure to UVA radiation. The UVA dose was carefully graduated and increased in increments of 30–50% every third treatment according to the patient's response. Another ten patients with generalized vitiligo were treated with UVA alone and acted as a control group. None of the patients in either group showed significant improvement. No side-effects were observed during the study.

Key Words:

• Vitiligo
• L-phenylalanine
• UVA radiation
• Autoimmune antibodies