Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Found to Reverse Vitiligo-Related Skin Pigmentation Problems

A medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis has been found to reverse Vitiligo-related skin pigmentation problems, according to a new study.

The findings published in the journal JAMA Dermatology showed that a rheumatoid arthritis medication restored the pigmentation of a Connecticut woman with vitiligo, a condition that causes the skin to develop white patches due to the loss of melanin pigmentation, according to WebMD. It is also the same skin condition that has affected the late Michael Jackson and Canadian model Chantelle Winnie.

The drug called tofacitinib citrate, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, was also found to be effective against alopecia or an autoimmune disorder that results in hair loss according to research findings. Lead author Dr. Brett King, of Yale School of Medicine, used this premise to use tofacitinib to treat vitiligo, which may be similar to how alopecia develops in the body, according to Tech Times.

For the study, the researchers gave vitiligo patient Linda Lachance, 53, one 5mg tofacitinib every other day. In about two months, Lachance noticed improvement on her condition and in about 5 months, the white blotches that were on her body were almost completely gone. According to CTV News, Lachance is still taking the drug and that her condition is still getting better.

Although vitiligo is neither life-threatening nor infectious, it is a dermatological condition that could be psychologically devastating, according to the researchers.

"While it's one case, we anticipated the successful treatment of this patient based on our current understanding of the disease and how the drug works," King said, as per Eureka Alert. "It's a first, and it could revolutionize treatment of an awful disease. This may be a huge step forward in the treatment of patients with this condition."

However, King said that further research needs to be conducted to ensure that the drug is safe and effective for human use.

It is not known what causes vitiligo. An explanation supplied by WebMD suggests that the destruction of melanocytes, the cells that gives the skin its color, may be due to the body's immune system attacking it.

The condition is characterized by white blotches that develop on the skin. The common locations where the condition develops include the armpits, around moles, around body openings and former injury sites to name a few.

There is no known cure or prevention for vitiligo, however, there are methods that can improve its appearance on the skin. These therapies include UV light therapy, corticosteroid creams, skin grafting and cosmetics.