Vitiligo Clinical Trials 2023

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin disorder that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment. It's one of the most common forms of pigment loss in the world, affecting about 1% of the population. There are two main types of vitiligo: generalized vitiligo and segmental vitiligo.

Generalized vitiligo affects large areas, including the whole body, but not all parts at once. The affected areas may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, and they may have white patches (which can be either smooth or scaly) or black spots. The affected areas are often darker than the surrounding skin, but they do not have to be completely white.

Segmental vitiligo affects small groups of cells within an area (called segments). Segmental vitiligo is usually symmetrical—that is, it looks the same on both sides of the body—but it can occur as an asymmetrical pattern that resembles a polka dot or a checkerboard design. Segmental vitiligo tends to affect only one side at a time; it does not spread from one area to another as generalized vitiligo does.

Why is Vitiligo Being Studied in Clinical Trials?

Treatments for Vitiligo have shown promise in treating multiple skin conditions. In addition to being used as a topical treatment, vitiligo-based treatments are also being tested for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema), two conditions that affect millions of people in the United States alone.

Clinical trials allow researchers to test new treatments on patients with conditions like vitiligo who have not been treated before. This allows them to compare different treatments and determine which ones work best for each individual patient. Data from these studies may help inform future decisions about potential treatments for people with vitiligo as well as provide information about other diseases that affect people with less common skin conditions like vitiligo.

How Do Vitiligo Clinical Trials Work?

Vitiligo clinical trials work by enrolling participants into a study that is designed to answer specific questions about the treatment or drug being tested. The participant may receive the treatment or study drug under safe conditions. All patients participating in clinical trials undergo a careful medical evaluation before they are enrolled in a study, including blood tests, imaging studies, and physical exams.

The first step in a study is to determine if vitiligo is indeed detected in a patient. This involves collecting samples from patients with the condition, usually by taking biopsies or scraping off skin cells directly from affected areas. If the condition is indeed present, then researchers will then pool the eligible participants for the trials.

Once a group of participants has been established, the researchers will begin testing new treatments on small groups of patients. The first phase of testing involves giving participants a placebo (or inactive) drug instead of the actual treatment. This allows researchers to see if there are any side effects or any negative effects on non-sufferers who take placebos as well as how effective the drugs are compared to each other.

What are some key breakthrough clinical trials involving Vitiligo?

2017: There is a study where different dermatologists published research on a new method of treating vitiligo called phototherapy. This involved using ultraviolet light to treat the condition in patients. The study found that this treatment was successful in treating the condition with minimal side effects and no need for additional skin grafts or other procedures.

2023: Two recent studies, namely NCT04057573 and NCT04052425 discovered the safety and effectiveness of the drug Opzelura. In both trials, patients having nonsegmental vitiligo received randomized treatment, one group with Opzelura and the other with a placebo cream. This was done twice daily for 24 weeks. This was significant because it results from both trials showed that 30% of the patients had a minimum of 75% improvement as per the facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index.

Who are the key opinion leaders on vitiligo clinical trial research?

There are many key opinion leaders on vitiligo clinical trial research, which are almost concentrated on the main members of the Vitiligo International Symposium (VIS):

Dr. Nanja van Geel is a dermatologist who specializes in disorders in a person’s pigmentation. She is also a professor at Ghent University in Belgium and works at its hospital.

Dr. Julien Seneschal is a dermatologist who specializes in inflammatory skin diseases and its treatment through biotherapy. He currently resides in Bordeaux, France as a Professor in Dermatology. Dr. Julien also heads a team dedicated to the study of immune mechanisms resulting to skin disorders such as vitiligo.

Dr. Katia Boniface is a professor in Therapeutic Innovation at the University of Bordeaux, France. She has a total of 46 works regarding vitiligo and other parallel studies regarding skin disorders.

Top Hospitals for Vitiligo Clinical Trials

After looking at the top hospitals in the world that conduct vitiligo clinical trials, The University of California has been found to be the leader in such research. The University of California is a public research university founded in 1868 and serves as the flagship institution of the ten-campus University of California system. It enrolls 32,000 undergraduate and graduate students and has 5,600 faculty members. The campus is located in Berkeley and is home to world-renowned research, faculty, and facilities across a range of disciplines. Check out more top hospitals conducting vitiligo clinical trials below.

Top Cities for Vitiligo Clinical Trials

The city of Irvine, California, is listed to be the most popular city for vitiligo clinical trials, with a record of 9 total active cases. It is a city located in Orange County. It's known for being home to some of the best schools in the country, as well as its proximity to Disneyland, golf courses, and beaches. Irvine is home to some of the top universities in California. UC Irvine has been ranked as one of the top public universities in the U.S., and UC Santa Barbara was recently named one of America's best public universities by the Princeton Review. Other cities listed as top cities for vitiligo clinical trials can be seen below.

Top Treatments for Vitiligo Clinical Trials

According to Power’s database, Rapamycin is the top-rated treatment technique that is used for vitiligo clinical trials, with a total of 1 active case. Rapamycin is a drug that has been used for decades to treat diseases. Rapamycin works by targeting the immune system. This can help to boost the immune system's response and reduce the likelihood of the disease spreading. Rapamycin also helps to inhibit cell growth, which is why it is so effective at treating vitiligo. More treatments for vitiligo clinical trials are listed below.

How Many Vitiligo Clinical Trials are Open to Youth and / or Seniors?

Power’s list shows that those 18 and above are the most numerous active clinical trials available for vitiligo. While vitiligo can affect people of any age, it is most common in children and adolescents between ages 6 and 18. The reasons for this are not fully understood, but it is thought that the development of the immune system during this time may play a role. Occurrences regarding other age groups can be explored below.