2023-05-04 10:30:00
This is a great beacon of hope for people with vitiligo. It is estimated that this autoimmune disease affects between 0.5 and 2% of the world’s population. Nearly a million people are said to be affected in France, and are impatiently awaiting this treatment, whereas the therapeutic options are few today.
This is great news for vitiligo patients all over Europe!, says the French Vitiligo Association (source 1)
The treatment authorized by the European Medicines Agency is a cream called Opzelura (ruxolitinib), developed by the American laboratory Incyte. How does it work? Its active substance blocks the JAK 1 and 2 enzymes, reducing the ability of the immune system to attack the melanocytes, responsible for skin pigmentation. Clinical trials, carried out on nearly 700 people, have shown convincing results (source 2). For a third of patients, facial involvement was reduced by 75% following six months, and an improvement of more than 90% was noted following one year. For the treatment to be effective, it must be applied to the depigmented lesions of the body twice a day, for several months. Furthermore, the treatment seems particularly effective on the face. On the contrary, lesions on the hands or feet were more difficult to repigment.
Note that one side effect has been reported in particular: acne. The cream can be used from the age of 12, and is contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women (source 3).
Soon available in French pharmacies
If the treatment has been authorized in the European Union – and in the United States – France has not yet given its approval. The French vitiligo association hopes for a “ arrival in France by summer 2024 “, the time that the High Authority of Health authorizes the drug in France.
Other treatments are being studied, including an oral form of the Opzelura treatment.
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