Overview on vitiligo and its treatment

Vitiligo, is a skin disorder, in which the skin loses its pigment due to the loss of melanocytes. The exact cause is still under research but the disorder is linked to autoimmune disease, oxidative stress, genetics and environmental variables. The disease being progressive in nature often spreads all over the body. Globally, Vitiligo affects nearly about 0.5% to 1% of people. In 2012, the most recent and approved classification for Vitiligo was given at Vitiligo Global Issues Consensus Conference (VGICC). Understanding the biological mediators and molecular mechanisms that result in metabolic problems, melanocyte degradation, and autoimmunity is crucial in order to identify innovative therapy targets and drugs that may be able to stop the progression of the condition or even cure vitiligo. Treatment options range from oral antibiotics, topical immunosuppressants, melanocyte promoters, oral immunosuppressants, JAK kinase inhibitors, physical therapy, to surgical intervention. Systemic biological therapies that target cytokines have shown promising results in the treatment of diseases like vitiligo and psoriasis.