Prefix: This is not a cure of any kind, but research concluding that a cancer drug's treatment caused Vitiligo. With that, perhaps more research and insight into the disease.
"Vitiligo associated with survival in patients receiving Keytruda for metastatic melanoma" is the title of a RECENT article, October 2015:
or Link.
“Our results suggest that vitiligo could be a clinically visible immune-related event associated with clinical benefit in the context of pembrolizumab treatment,” the researchers concluded. “Better understanding of immunity against melanocytes in melanoma, which clinically manifest as vitiligo, might contribute to identification of other targets for immunotherapy against melanoma.” — by Bruce Thiel
Replies
"The only way to cure a vitiligo patch is by removing MIA around it (in the border). There is no MIA inside it."
This is fascinating. If there is no MIA inside of a Vitiligo area, why can't we re-pigment those areas automatically? It seems there is something stopping it in there. If not MIA, because a white area is devoid of it, then what?
Thank you for sharing your research.
Tom
Surgery will be next.
Out of the blue we get hit with this stuff. It moves in and refuses to leave, despite our best invitations to do so.
Wishing you the best, and thanking you once again for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Bye for now,
Tom
I've just put all together
I'm grateful that you have. Have you had success on your hands with any of the removal of patch epidermis you mention? How did you go about it?
Good question Tom.
Because MIA is in the border, as an Army. Trying to spread out.
There are 3 possible scenarios inside the patch:
1) No melanocytes anymore;
or
2) No melanocyte, but some hair follicles that might provide stem melanocyte cells, if they are not oxidized (oxidative stress);
or
3) Some dormant melanocyte cells (more rare).
The best way to recover a patch is by removing the patch epidermis. Doing this, melanocyte will be able to migrate from the border. Melanocyte cell transplantation is also good option. If the patch area is hairy, the chance to repigment is much higher.
Is the avatar in the photo your hand? Have you tried such grafting you describe in 3?
You speak eloquently on these subjects. Are you an MD or are you well educated due to your independent research?
I had seen this article before and my thoughts are the following:
There is a protein called MIA, which seems to be the body's self defense mechanism to fight and detach melanomas (skin cancer). However, the expression of this protein is also a metastasis marker (indicator). So, I believe that Keytruda played a role increasing MIA production, what caused more melanoma detachment, and, consequently, better results for some cancer patients. The side effect was melanocyte detachment.
In 2012, Dr. Matteo Bordignon found out the role of this same protein (MIA) as the agent that causes vitiligo. He says that vitiligo pre-disposed people produces this protein (improperly) that also detaches non-malignant melanocytes causing vitiligo.
So, how do vitiligo pre-disposed people (genetic factor) generate MIA protein?
Due to (1) friction and trauma in certain regions like knees, elbows, hands, feet, wrists, around the eyes, forehead and around the mouth where white patches appear, it can be said it is usually facilitated by (2) oxidative stress, and accelerated by (3) stress hormones.
More details at: www.vitiligomap.com
Hi Flavio. I've learned from your site. Thank you.
Interestingly, your avatar is similar to mine, and I have had no remarkable friction to the back of my hand, and that appears to be the locus and beginning of my Vitiligo.
I do have genetic predisposition. TSH: 4.4 not being treated, but taking a multivitamin and Kelp along with BioAstin, Ginko, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and a Centrum Silver, daily. I'll be trying L-Tyrosine, per recommendations here.
The article cited seems to differ from your conclusion, if I understand correctly, in that it suggests an immune-related event as the cause, post Keytruda. Seemingly supporting the auto-immune related belief we so often hear from doctors.
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