Open AccessOn the pathophysiology of vitiligo: Possible treatment options
Author(s) -
Raymond E. Boissy,
Maria Lucia Dell’Anna,
Mauro Picardo
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
indian journal of dermatology, venereology, and leprology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.514
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 0973-3922
pISSN - 0378-6323
DOI - 10.4103/0378-6323.90943
Subject(s) - vitiligo , melanocyte , immune system , disease , pathophysiology , medicine , immunology , population , incidence (geometry) , dermatology , pathology , cancer research , melanoma , physics , environmental health , optics
Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder usually classified as non-segmental and segmental types with a higher incidence of the non-segmental ones. The cause of non-segmental vitiligo is still unknown. Currently, it is a dogma that there are several genes affecting the immune system and the pigment system that predisposes someone to develop vitiligo. A precipitating factor must then ellicit an interaction between the immune system and the melanocyte, resulting in destruction of the melanocyte population in discrete areas of the skin. Starting from the overlapping but distinct pathomechanisms, treatment should be finalized to the cellular targets and possibly related to the disease phase.