RESEARCH INFORMATION: A significant article was published last week in the New EnglandJournal of Medicine from the lab of Dr. Richard Spritz that presents amazing information on several genes associated with vitiligo. In the study presented, a genomewide association analysis in 1514 patients with generalized Vitiligo was performed that demonstrated significant association between Vitiligo and several genes that participate in autoimmune diseases (particularly MHC class I & II molecules) plus the gene that encodes tyrosinase, the primary enzyme responsible for the production of pigment by the melanocyte. This is critical information because it links for the first time a mechanism that explains a possible way the immune system can selectively attack the pigment system. This opens a new avenue of research that willunveil the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating Vitiligo and ultimate rationales for better therapy.
He's very hopeful this will lead to some real progress in understanding and treating Vitilgo.
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Did Raymond Boissy offer his opinion on a timeframe for a suitable treatment or cure that would result from these new findings? Thanks.