Scenesse for Vitiligo

October 8th, 2019 marked a milestone event. Scenesse (afomelanotide) was approved by the FDA for use in an orphan disease called erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). This disease is marked by sensitivity to visible light resulting in skin cancers and significant skin damage. The advent of this new treatment will allow people suffering from this disease to literally come into the light! I am also heartened because the treatment is going to be a real boon to patients who suffer from vitiligo. The combination of Scenesse and narrow-band light has been shown to be a very effective treatment for vitiligo. The FDA’s approval of Scenesse (afomelanotide) for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)will hopefully now make it more likely that an indication for vitiligo will soon be given to Scenesse. In the meantime, I am advocating for a path to enable off-label use in patients with vitiligo. Stay tuned!