Hi everyone,
As I mentioned in posts a while ago, we (Clinuvel) have been working on a series of videos online to help improve the quality and quantity of vitiligo information available. Our latest video, looking at vitiligo causes and theories, has been released earlier today to Youtube and to our website. I've also embedded below.
I welcome your feedback on this video and what you would like to see in future videos.
On a clinical front, we will bring you more news on our trials as we progress, but I can't share anything further at this stage.
As always, I'm happy to answer questions here, or by email to mail@clinuvel.com
Lachlan
Replies
Hi everyone,
I've had a response back from our scientific team:
Vitiligo is likely a multifactorial disorder, meaning that several factors work synergistically to cause the loss of melanocytes from the epidermis.
It has been theorised that certain environmental factors (i.e. contact with certain chemicals, hormonal changes during pregnancy, emotional stress) can trigger vitiligo in a genetically predisposed person. The triggering event which induces the depigmentation is often unknown, in such cases the vitiligo is described as idiopathic (without known cause).
Research has shown associations between certain viruses and the development of autoimmune diseases. As a result, many believe that persistant viral infections are one of the factors which may trigger an autoimmune response in those with a predisposition to vitiligo. It is this autoimmune response which can damage the melanocytes, causing the onset or exacerbation of the vitiligo.
So, it is the possibility that vitiligo may be 'triggered' by a virus which has been suggested in literature.
As an aside, I'm not sure how often everyone has a review of peer-reviewed journals, but often you can find some interesting articles published online (and totally free!) One I've just come across looks at autoimmune diseases and vitiligo in India in a small study, see: http://www.elsevier.es/sites/default/files/elsevier/eop/S0301-0546%...
Happy to address any more questions anyone might have.
Thanks,
Lachlan
Hi Jen,
Yes, we made a protocol amendment in the US which has postponed the recruitment there. As I said, this is pretty common for a new drug trial so we didn't announce it. We expect the US sites to be recruiting again soon.
Thank you Lachlan...we have heard most teories but not "Viruses" ...
What type of Viruses?? how do they react I never heard about it.
Bamsegutt
BTW..how is it going about the Scense trial..when are we gona hear about the result.
Bamsegutt
Hi Bamsegutt,
I've put your question to our scientific team - hopefully I'll have some more information once they're back from the long weekend in Australia.
We're still working on a protocol amendment for that trial (this is fairly common) and commencing recruitment. Results are some way off just yet.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next