Vitiligo and Melanoma-Associated Vitiligo: Understanding Their Similarities and Differences

Abstract

Background: There has been a significant increase in the number and efficacy of therapies for advanced melanoma. Immunotherapies, such as anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed cell death-1 inhibitors, have improved the prognosis for patients with advanced melanoma. While spontaneous melanoma-associated vitiligo is a known phenomenon, the occurrence of melanoma-associated vitiligo following melanoma therapy is now recognized to associate with favorable outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive literature review of melanoma-associated vitiligo and explore the insights these findings provide about the pathobiology of vitiligo and mechanisms underlying melanoma therapies.

Methods: PubMed and Science Direct databases were searched for studies pertaining to melanoma-associated vitiligo. The 36 studies reviewed included meta-analyses (n = 2), prospective cohort studies (n = 4), prospective observational studies (n = 3), retrospective studies (n = 12), case series (n = 2), and case reports (n = 13).

Results: The basic mechanisms underlying melanoma-associated vitiligo and vitiligo may be shared. Characterization of these mechanisms will identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for both melanoma and vitiligo.

Conclusions: Co-opting the immune system to target tumor antigens highlights the potential overlap between anti-tumor immunity and autoimmunity. The development of vitiligo-like depigmentation in association with immunotherapy for melanoma may provide insights into both the immune response against melanoma as well as the pathogenesis of vitiligo.