Serum CXCL10 Levels in Non-Segmental Vitiligo and Its Correlation with Dermoscopic Findings and Disease Severity: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: CXCL10 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10) is a chemokine induced by interferon-γ that is crucial in the recruitment of CD8+ (cluster differentiation) T cells to the sites of depigmentation in vitiligo. It has emerged as a potential biomarker for disease activity. However, its correlation with dermoscopic patterns and clinical severity in non-segmental vitiligo remains underexplored. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To estimate serum CXCL10 levels in patients with non-segmental vitiligo in comparison to healthy controls and to correlate CXCL10 levels with dermoscopic findings and clinical severity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 80 patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Participants underwent clinical evaluation, dermoscopy (BPLeFoSK scoring), and assessment of disease activity and severity using Vitiligo Disease Activity Score (VIDA) and Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) scores, respectively. Serum CXCL10 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The mean serum CXCL10 level was markedly increased in vitiligo patients (118.7 ± 78.0 pg/mL) compared to controls (35.6 ± 37.9 pg/mL, P < 0.001). Levels were notably higher in active (154.0 ± 77.8 pg/mL) than stable disease (61.3 ± 23.9 pg/mL, P < 0.001). A strong inverse correlation was found between CXCL10 and the BPLeFoSK score ( r = -0.613, P < 0.001), and a positive correlation with the VIDA score ( P < 0.001). Dermoscopic features, such as poorly defined borders, absent perifollicular pigmentation, and micro-Koebnerization, were significantly associated with higher CXCL10 levels ( P < 0.05). LIMITATIONS: This cross-sectional study design precludes the evaluation of causality or treatment response. CXCL10 levels were measured at a single time point, limiting insights into temporal variation. CONCLUSION: Serum CXCL10 is significantly elevated in active non-segmental vitiligo and correlates well with disease activity and VIDA score. It shows promise as a noninvasive biomarker for monitoring disease activity but not for assessing disease extent.