Treatment of Vitiligo and New Treatment Approaches

Vitiligo is an pigmentary disorder characterized by loss of functional melanocytes. Altough the aetiology is unknown, autoimmunity, genetic factors, biochemical factors and neural mechanisms were suspected. Cytotoxic T cells targeting melanocyte antigens are present and also an imbalance of the cytokine levels leading to melanocyte damage and death. It is believed that the treatment of vitiligo differs according to the severity of disease, localisation, age and response to previous medications. In this article we reviewed the current literature about vitiligo and classified the treatment options of vitiligo as traditional and current treatment options, surgical treatments, experimental therapies and other treatment options. (Turk J Dermatol 2010; 4: 33-9)