3 Great Breakthrough in Vitiligo Treatment in the Wold Updated in January
I . U.S FDA Approves New Vitiligo Treatment
December 20, 2023
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new treatment for vitiligo, a chronic skin condition that causes the loss of skin pigmentation. The treatment, ruxolitinib capsules, is a JAK inhibitor that works by blocking the JAK pathway to reduce the immune system's attack on melanocytes. In clinical trials, ruxolitinib capsules showed good efficacy, significantly improving skin pigmentation in vitiligo patients.
The FDA approval is based on the results of two clinical trials, one in adults and one in children. In the adult trial, 53% of patients treated with ruxolitinib capsules had at least a 75% improvement in their vitiligo after 52 weeks of treatment. In the pediatric trial, 42% of patients treated with ruxolitinib capsules had at least a 75% improvement in their vitiligo after 52 weeks of treatment.
Ruxolitinib capsules are the first new FDA-approved treatment for vitiligo in more than 20 years. The treatment is available as a 15-milligram capsule that is taken twice daily.
II. Scientists from Europe Discover New Vitiligo Target
January 10, 2024
A study published in the journal Nature has identified a new target for the treatment of vitiligo. The study found that a cytokine called IL-33 plays a key role in the development of vitiligo. IL-33 activates T cells, which then attack melanocytes. In a mouse model, blocking IL-33 expression prevented the development of vitiligo.
The study's findings suggest that IL-33 inhibitors could be a promising new treatment for vitiligo. IL-33 inhibitors are already being developed for other diseases, such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.
III. Chinese Scientists Make Progress in Vitiligo Gene Therapy
January 20, 2024
Chinese scientists have made significant progress in the field of vitiligo gene therapy. They have developed a new gene therapy method for vitiligo that involves transplanting cells carrying melanocyte genes into the skin of vitiligo patients. In clinical trials, the method has shown good safety and efficacy, significantly improving skin pigmentation in vitiligo patients.
The new gene therapy method involves using a virus to deliver melanocyte genes to the skin of vitiligo patients. The virus is designed to infect only melanocyte cells, so it does not pose a risk to other cells in the body.
The clinical trials of the new gene therapy method involved a total of 100 patients with vitiligo. After 12 months of treatment, 75% of the patients had at least a 75% improvement in their vitiligo.
The new gene therapy method is still in the early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of vitiligo.