Similar to Xeljanz, Ruxolitinib (Jakafi), a drug that inhibits Janus Kinases (JAKs)
"This result is really exciting, because it is an oral drug that had a very rapid effect on vitiligo, improving the patient’s facial pigmentation from less than 1% to over 50% in just 4-5 months. We hypothesized that it might be effective because it blocks a pathway in the immune system that we have found to be critical for vitiligo."
http://www.umassmed.edu/vitiligo/blog/blog-posts1/2015/12/ruxolitinib-jakafi-for-vitiligo/
Replies
Exciting but so many potential side effects to work through. Problem is if it gets released we will all be the first line guinea pigs. Yes we may have beautiful skin. But what else...
Hey DJ, Thanks for sharing there is a light in the tunnel, it is very good News that they are trying to find drugs that turn off only the part of the immune system that causes vitiligo..I hope it comes soon for all of us it takes some years as usual.
The drugs are available off label although through a dermatologist. Mainly in the US. The doctor who monitored this research hopes to have a something safer, affordablewithin the next 5 years. His blog has further details http://www.umassmed.edu/vitiligo/blog/blog-posts1/2015/12/ruxolitin...
Adding link to study.
http://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(15)02400-7/fulltext
highlights
"began treatment with ruxolitinib (20 mg) orally twice daily for a total of 20 weeks."
"at week 20 he exhibited a large amount of repigmentation on his face and other areas"