Nanotechnology and Vitiligo: an integrative review of emerging therapeutic strategies

Resumo

Vitiligo is an acquired chronic dermatological disorder characterized by the selective destruction of epidermal melanocytes, resulting in hypopigmented or depigmented macules on the skin and mucous membranes. It is a multifactorial disease whose pathophysiology involves autoimmune mechanisms, genetic predisposition, oxidative stress, and alterations in the cutaneous microenvironment. This article aims to conduct a literature review on the application of nanotechnology in the treatment of vitiligo, addressing the main pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease, the nanoengineered systems currently under investigation, and their potential advantages over conventional therapies.

To achieve this objective, a descriptive and exploratory literature review was carried out based on national and international scientific publications indexed in the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and SciELO databases. The search strategy employed the descriptors “vitiligo,” “nanotechnology,” and “treatment,” as well as their corresponding terms in English, combined using Boolean operators. Initially, 126 publications were identified, of which 72 fully met the eligibility criteria after duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, and critical appraisal of the full texts. Original research articles and review papers addressing the pathophysiological aspects of vitiligo and the therapeutic applications of nanotechnology were included. The analyzed studies demonstrated that conventional treatments included topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy, whereas non-conventional approaches encompassed the use of plant extracts, cell-based therapies, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), microneedle systems, and nanotechnology-based platforms. These strategies have emerged as promising alternatives for enhancing repigmentation and modulating the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in vitiligo. Furthermore, nanoengineered systems have shown significant potential to overcome the limitations associated with conventional topical formulations. It can be concluded that nanotechnology represents an innovative and highly promising strategy for the treatment of vitiligo, enabling more precise drug delivery, improved therapeutic efficacy, and reduced adverse effects associated with conventional therapies. Advances in nanoengineered delivery systems suggest considerable potential for the development of personalized treatments capable of simultaneously targeting the immunological, oxidative, and regenerative mechanisms involved in the disease.