VitiligoWeb.com
More news on the research front for a possible cure/treatment for Vitiligo!
“For generations, numerous remedies have been concocted to hide gray hair,” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal, “but now, for the first time, an actual treatment that gets to the root of the problem has been developed. While this is exciting news, what’s even more exciting is that this also works for vitiligo. This condition, while technically cosmetic, can have serious socio-emotional effects of people. Developing an effective treatment for this condition has the potential to radically improve many people’s lives.”
For the full article, click below:
http://scienceblog.com/62790/researchers-claim-gray-hair-and-vitiligo-reversed-at-the-root/
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Monday, May 6, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Engineered Protein Offers Hope for Vitiligo Cure
VitiligoWeb.com
I just learned of some new research going on in relation to an engineered protein that looks to stop the spread of vitiligo, and even help with repigmentation. The protein has been tried on mice with vitiligo, with positive results. The next step would be to test it on humans in clinical trials.
There are other studies going on to help with vitiligo, but it's nice to see something new like this come up. The more avenues that are looked at, the more chances there will one day be a treatment or cure.
Here are some parts of the article:
The disfiguring skin disorder vitiligo could be reversed using a genetically modified protein engineered by researchers at Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine.
According to Chicago dermatologist Jeffrey Karaban, the findings would be “life-altering” if a consistently effective treatment using the protein can be produced.
If the university’s pending application for a patent is cleared, the researchers hope to gain approval for funding clinical trials in humans. The research has so far been limited to mice but preliminary tests on human skin tissue samples have also yielded promising results, according to Loyola researcher Caroline Le Poole.
“We’d need to figure out what it does to other immune responses or if there are some undesirable effects,” she said. “It takes a lot of time and money. If everything falls into place, we could do that in two years."
Of course, the need to treat vitiligo, otherwise a harmless condition, depends on the individual. Some people may be perfectly fine with it.
“Everyone has a different level of acceptance with their bodies,” Karaban said. “It’s a part of their life.”
To read the full article, go to:
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=217259
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I just learned of some new research going on in relation to an engineered protein that looks to stop the spread of vitiligo, and even help with repigmentation. The protein has been tried on mice with vitiligo, with positive results. The next step would be to test it on humans in clinical trials.
There are other studies going on to help with vitiligo, but it's nice to see something new like this come up. The more avenues that are looked at, the more chances there will one day be a treatment or cure.
Here are some parts of the article:
The disfiguring skin disorder vitiligo could be reversed using a genetically modified protein engineered by researchers at Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine.
According to Chicago dermatologist Jeffrey Karaban, the findings would be “life-altering” if a consistently effective treatment using the protein can be produced.
If the university’s pending application for a patent is cleared, the researchers hope to gain approval for funding clinical trials in humans. The research has so far been limited to mice but preliminary tests on human skin tissue samples have also yielded promising results, according to Loyola researcher Caroline Le Poole.
“We’d need to figure out what it does to other immune responses or if there are some undesirable effects,” she said. “It takes a lot of time and money. If everything falls into place, we could do that in two years."
Of course, the need to treat vitiligo, otherwise a harmless condition, depends on the individual. Some people may be perfectly fine with it.
“Everyone has a different level of acceptance with their bodies,” Karaban said. “It’s a part of their life.”
To read the full article, go to:
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=217259
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Vitiligo - the Shallow Person Radar Detector
VitiligoWeb.com
Here is an article I came across about young people in India looking for dating or marriage partners when they have vitiligo. At times it can be difficult, but it's the reality of what people with vitiligo sometimes have to deal with.
It is unfortunate that this happens, but personally I've always thought that vitiligo is like a shallow person radar detector. It says a lot about a person who won't date (or treat with respect) another just because they have a few white spots on their skin. So if this happens to you, think of it this way. Instead of it taking a long time to find out the true nature of another, you can find out right away and move on to the better people. Believe me, not everyone is so shallow!
The link to the full article is at the bottom.
"People would come to see me and cringe. It was demoralising. We decided to tell people about the problem before they decided to come over. The number of proposals has reduced to a trickle," says the 25-year-old.
"Many people with vitiligo told us it was difficult to find a partner. Though the stigma has reduced over the years, people still haven't opened up enough to marry someone with the problem," said K Umapathy, secretary of Leucoderma Awareness Movement-India. Close to 100 participants have registered for the 'swayamawaram'. Despite a government order in 2010 directing authorities to refer to vitiligo as 'ven pulligal' (white spots) instead of 'ven kusht' (leprosy), people with the problem continue to be ostracized, he said.
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Here is an article I came across about young people in India looking for dating or marriage partners when they have vitiligo. At times it can be difficult, but it's the reality of what people with vitiligo sometimes have to deal with.
It is unfortunate that this happens, but personally I've always thought that vitiligo is like a shallow person radar detector. It says a lot about a person who won't date (or treat with respect) another just because they have a few white spots on their skin. So if this happens to you, think of it this way. Instead of it taking a long time to find out the true nature of another, you can find out right away and move on to the better people. Believe me, not everyone is so shallow!
The link to the full article is at the bottom.
"People would come to see me and cringe. It was demoralising. We decided to tell people about the problem before they decided to come over. The number of proposals has reduced to a trickle," says the 25-year-old.
"Many people with vitiligo told us it was difficult to find a partner. Though the stigma has reduced over the years, people still haven't opened up enough to marry someone with the problem," said K Umapathy, secretary of Leucoderma Awareness Movement-India. Close to 100 participants have registered for the 'swayamawaram'. Despite a government order in 2010 directing authorities to refer to vitiligo as 'ven pulligal' (white spots) instead of 'ven kusht' (leprosy), people with the problem continue to be ostracized, he said.
Article: Finding a match not easy for youngsters with vitiligo
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-14/chennai/36331094_1_vitiligo-leucoderma-awareness-movement-india-white-patches------
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Recent News on Vitiligo - Scenesse, Tyrosine, Gold?
VitiligoWeb.com
I haven't been posting much lately on my Vitiligo blog, but I have been doing some reading and checking out the latest news on Vitiligo.
My recent post on Sunday, Sept 2 has a couple of videos worth watching. The first is an update on drug trials for Scenesse. It's an interview with the CEO from Clinuvel, discussing early results from the trials started in 2011. There are some promising photos of patients with high repigmentation, and he says if things go well the drug could be available in 2 to 3 years. I also posted a second video which has a good presentation of what is happening under the skin with vitiligo, with some good visual video. If Scenesse is eventually approved for use, Clinuvel company stock could also be a good buy!
Another recent news item caught my eye. A person did a recent post on their experience with vitiligo, and how a supplement called Tyrosine gave them repigmentation.
http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Have-Vitiligo/2527288
I can't verify that this story is true, it's just a post on the internet, but I did some reading on Tyrosine and it does play a role in pigmentation. If your body doesn't produce enough Tyrosine, maybe that plays a role in vitiligo. Also, I checked the Merry Clinic website which has a vitamin mix for vitiligo, and sure enough Tyrosine is one of the supplements in the mix. This is the first I've heard of this connection. I decided to try it out and bought some Tyrosine capsules at my local vitamin store for about $25. If I get any good results I'll post them here. If you decide to do this yourself, read up on Tyrosine first like I did, to see if it's safe for you. It seems to be relatively safe unless you have thyroid issues, there is a good write up on it on Wikipedia.
I've also read before that ginkgo biloba can help with vitiligo, so I also bought a bottle of that to try, but I have higher hopes for the Tyrosine.
There was also some news out lately that says people with vitiligo have higher risk of thyroid disease, but to my knowledge I've never had thyroid issues. You can read it here.
http://www.northdrugstore.com/news/2012/08/vitiligo-patients-at-high-risk-of-developing-thyroid-disease/
One other thing I've noticed, is that I now have vitiligo on most of my hands above my wrist, except there is a patch of my normal skin color under my gold wedding ring. All my other fingers have white color in that spot, except where my wedding ring is. Is it just a coincidence, or could the gold have some sort of effect? I've heard that copper deficiency could be associated with vitiligo, but maybe also gold? If anyone else has seen this effect please post below!
I'd also appreciate any other comments on your experience with Vitiligo.
I haven't been posting much lately on my Vitiligo blog, but I have been doing some reading and checking out the latest news on Vitiligo.
My recent post on Sunday, Sept 2 has a couple of videos worth watching. The first is an update on drug trials for Scenesse. It's an interview with the CEO from Clinuvel, discussing early results from the trials started in 2011. There are some promising photos of patients with high repigmentation, and he says if things go well the drug could be available in 2 to 3 years. I also posted a second video which has a good presentation of what is happening under the skin with vitiligo, with some good visual video. If Scenesse is eventually approved for use, Clinuvel company stock could also be a good buy!
Another recent news item caught my eye. A person did a recent post on their experience with vitiligo, and how a supplement called Tyrosine gave them repigmentation.
http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Have-Vitiligo/2527288
I can't verify that this story is true, it's just a post on the internet, but I did some reading on Tyrosine and it does play a role in pigmentation. If your body doesn't produce enough Tyrosine, maybe that plays a role in vitiligo. Also, I checked the Merry Clinic website which has a vitamin mix for vitiligo, and sure enough Tyrosine is one of the supplements in the mix. This is the first I've heard of this connection. I decided to try it out and bought some Tyrosine capsules at my local vitamin store for about $25. If I get any good results I'll post them here. If you decide to do this yourself, read up on Tyrosine first like I did, to see if it's safe for you. It seems to be relatively safe unless you have thyroid issues, there is a good write up on it on Wikipedia.
I've also read before that ginkgo biloba can help with vitiligo, so I also bought a bottle of that to try, but I have higher hopes for the Tyrosine.
There was also some news out lately that says people with vitiligo have higher risk of thyroid disease, but to my knowledge I've never had thyroid issues. You can read it here.
http://www.northdrugstore.com/news/2012/08/vitiligo-patients-at-high-risk-of-developing-thyroid-disease/
One other thing I've noticed, is that I now have vitiligo on most of my hands above my wrist, except there is a patch of my normal skin color under my gold wedding ring. All my other fingers have white color in that spot, except where my wedding ring is. Is it just a coincidence, or could the gold have some sort of effect? I've heard that copper deficiency could be associated with vitiligo, but maybe also gold? If anyone else has seen this effect please post below!
I'd also appreciate any other comments on your experience with Vitiligo.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Vitiligo Trials of Scenesse - Youtube Video
VitiligoWeb.com
There is a new drug called Scenesse that started trials in 2011 for vitiligo. I found this video on Youtube where they interview a doctor from the drug company, and there are some dramatic photos of early results on vitiligo patients. Looks very promising!
Here is an older video with some good information on what they think is happening inside the skin with Vitiligo.
There is a new drug called Scenesse that started trials in 2011 for vitiligo. I found this video on Youtube where they interview a doctor from the drug company, and there are some dramatic photos of early results on vitiligo patients. Looks very promising!
Here is an older video with some good information on what they think is happening inside the skin with Vitiligo.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Clinuvel starts final trial of Scenesse
VitiligoWeb.com
I have written about Clinuvel and Scenesse before, but now they have reported the start of a final phase III test of the drug in the US. This drug is targetted to people with EPP, a light intolerance disorder, but also may have applications for Vitiligo.
The trial will last six months and we will be watching for the results. There are very few drugs in trial for Vitiligo right now.
To read the news, click below:
http://www.lifescientist.com.au/article/425416/clinuvel_starts_final_trial_scenesse_epp/
I have written about Clinuvel and Scenesse before, but now they have reported the start of a final phase III test of the drug in the US. This drug is targetted to people with EPP, a light intolerance disorder, but also may have applications for Vitiligo.
The trial will last six months and we will be watching for the results. There are very few drugs in trial for Vitiligo right now.
To read the news, click below:
http://www.lifescientist.com.au/article/425416/clinuvel_starts_final_trial_scenesse_epp/
Awareness Event for Vitiligo
VitiligoWeb.com
A mass painting event took place in Puducherry, India to bring awareness to Vitiligo. The article below gives details of the event and some stats on people affected by Vitiligo in India.
I think the event was a great idea!
To read about the event, click below
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/awareness-event-for-vitiligo/259808-60-118.html
A mass painting event took place in Puducherry, India to bring awareness to Vitiligo. The article below gives details of the event and some stats on people affected by Vitiligo in India.
I think the event was a great idea!
To read about the event, click below
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/awareness-event-for-vitiligo/259808-60-118.html
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