DeCure's autonomous Dermatology AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for Vitiligo — screening already-approved drugs against its 44-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleVitiligo maps to a 44-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
approvedMonobenzoneApproved drug
Structures already discussed alongside vitiligo in the retrieved literature, rendered from public PubChem SMILES. Which drugs appear here reflects the evidence found, not a ranked prediction.
Molecular view
BMX non-receptor tyrosine kinase (BMX) — BMX is one of the genes in this disease's Open Targets module — part of the target space DeCure's repurposing candidates point at. The protein backbone is drawn as a cartoon. The structure has 4-[(3s)-3-{[(2e)-but-2-enoyl]amino}piperidin-1-yl]-5-fluoro-2,3-dimethyl-1h-indole-7-carboxamide bound in it, shown as sticks.
Loading structure…
helix sheet 3sdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 8X2A · 1.3 Å · ligand 4-[(3S)-3-{[(2E)-but-2-enoyl]amino}piperidin-1-yl]-5-fluoro-2,3-dimethyl-1H-indole-7-carboxamide (LTJ). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Vitiligo affects 1% to 3% of the world population, presenting as multiple depigmented macules and patches. Nearly half of all treated patients fail to respond successfully, and the disease is frequently refractory to all existing treatment modalities. A meta-analysis from 1999 found class 3 corticosteroids and narrowband UV-B to be the most effective and safest therapies for localised and generalised vitiligo respectively. For segmental, stable, or lip-tip vitiligo, most autologous transplantation methods could be successful. For vitiligo universalis, depigmentation using monobenzone or a Q-switched ruby laser was equally effective. After guidelines based on these findings were introduced, physicians followed them in 71% of adult localised cases, 82% of generalised cases, 100% of stable or segmental cases, and 80% of universal cases; adherence in children was 52%.
Advanced techniques reviewed in 2012 include the 308-nm excimer laser, total body depigmentation with monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone, microdermabrasion, micropigmentation, khellin-UVA therapy, and surgical methods such as miniature punch grafting, suction blister grafting, and epidermal cultures. The authors stated that our ability to treat vitiligo may be imperfect, but that successful treatment can be achieved in some patients refractory to treatment through appropriate patient selection and careful application of one or more of these therapies. A 2012 review of clinical studies since 2009 emphasised the need to find predicting factors to improve treatment outcome through appropriate selection and efficient application of treatments.
More recent work has focused on underlying mechanisms. A 2023 analysis of three gene expression datasets (20 vitiligo and 20 control samples, with validation in 10 vitiligo patients and 10 healthy controls) identified DCT and KIF1A as potential biomarkers and found altered immune cell infiltration in the vitiligo microenvironment. A 2024 study of SOD1 gene variants in young adults (29–37 years, predominantly women) found that the CT and CTTT genotypes of the rs1041740 and rs17880135 variants showed an association with susceptibility to vitiligo compared to controls, and that plasma SOD levels differed significantly between groups. A 2025 review of phase 2 and 3 trials discusses JAK inhibitors (povorcitinib, upadacitinib) and monoclonal antibodies (anifrolumab) as emerging targeted therapies, but notes these are still under evaluation for efficacy and safety.
What remains missing is large-scale, randomised trial data for most of the newer biologic and targeted agents, reliable biomarkers to predict which patients will respond to which treatment, and consistent implementation of existing guidelines across more centres and clinicians. The genetic and immune findings are preliminary and have not yet translated into validated diagnostic tests or treatment selection tools.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Archives of Dermatology · 1999 · 152 citations
The Development of Guidelines for the Treatment of Vitiligo
AbstractOBJECTIVE: To develop and introduce evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of vitiligo in children and in adults. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Patients, residents, and dermatologists from the Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, and the Netherlands Institute for Pigmentary Disorders in Amsterdam. DESIGN: Scientific evidence obtained from 3 systematic reviews of the literature was combined with the results of 2 questionnaires and interviews of potential users of the guidelines, 3 internal expert meetings, and 1 local expert meeting, during which preliminary guidelines were presented and commented on. A final version of the guidelines was synthesized and disseminated among potential users. Six months after the introduction of these guidelines, their use was evaluated. RESULTS: Before the development of the guidelines, there was no uniformity in treatment selection, and there was a variability in estimates of treatment outcome. The metaanalysis showed class 3 corticosteroids and narrowband UV-B to be the most effective and safest therapies for localized and for generalized vitiligo, respectively. From another systematic review, it could be concluded that patients with segmental, stable, or lip-tip vitiligo could be successfully treated with most autologous transplantation methods. For vitiligo universalis, results of the systematic review showed that depigmentation using monobenzone or a Q-switched ruby laser was equally effective. The final version of the guidelines consisted of a treatment scheme together with detailed treatment protocols. Implementation of the guidelines was evaluated in 5 physicians. After the introduction of these guidelines, they were followed in most adult cases with vitiligo (71% of patients with localized vitiligo, 82% with generalized vitiligo, 100% with stable or segmental vitiligo, and 80% with universal vitiligo). In children with vitiligo, the physicians adhered to the guidelines for 52% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines for the treatment of vitiligo can be successfully developed and disseminated for daily clinical practice. The results of the implementation of these guidelines should be confirmed in other centers involving more clinicians.
AbstractBACKGROUND: Vitiligo is an acquired multifocal and polygenic dyschromia that affects 1% to 3% of the world and presents as multiple depigmented macules and patches. Traditionally, the treatment of vitiligo has focused on pharmacologic interventions, but nearly half of all treated patients fail to respond successfully. OBJECTIVE: Several advanced techniques exist that can aid dermatologists in treating vitiligo in patients who do not respond favorably to traditional pharmacologic treatments. These advanced interventions include the use of the 308-nm excimer laser, total body depigmentation therapy with monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone, microdermabrasion, micropigmentation, khellin-UVA therapy, and surgical management using miniature punch grafting, suction blister grafting, and epidermal cultures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This article reviews the current literature on these advanced treatment modalities for vitiligo and provides a practical guide for application of these techniques. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Our ability to treat vitiligo may be imperfect, but through appropriate patient selection and careful application of one or more of these advanced therapies, successful treatment of vitiligo, even in patients refractory to treatment, can be achieved.
Journal of Dermatological Treatment · 2013 · 45 citations
Comparison of efficacy of narrow band UVB therapies with UVB alone, in combination with calcipotriol, and with betamethasoneand calcipotriol in vitiligo
AbstractOBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of three therapies in the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo: a combination of topical calcipotriol, narrowband-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), and betamethasone therapies; a combination of NB-UVB and topical calcipotriol; and NB-UVB alone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with non-segmental vitiligo presenting to our Dermatology clinic were recruited to participate in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. For each patient the size of the depigmented areas was assessed according to the rule of nines. The first group was treated with a combination of topical calcipotriol, NB-UVB, and betamethasone therapies. The second group was treated with a combination of NB-UVB and topical calcipotriol and third group was treated with NB-UVB alone. Since the patients' vitiligo lesions had similar phototypes, all patients were started with 0.1 j/cm(2), regardless of their skin phototype. The dose of NB-UVB was increased 10% in each session and no further increment was done after reaching 2.5 j/cm(2). Treatment effectiveness was evaluated according to the percentage improvement in repigmentation. The quality of life of the patients was measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). RESULTS: The patients were aged from 13 to 55 years (mean: 25.29). The duration of disease ranged from 3 months to 20 years. Family history was positive for vitiligo in 10 patients (22.2%). The percentage of recovery after treatment was 63.33% ± 7.55 in group 1, 60.67% ± 5.75 in group 2, and 46.67% ± 7.98 in group 3. There was no statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2, and groups 2 and 3, but there was a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.0048). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, NB-UVB-alone therapy and the combined therapies are effective treatment options in the treatment of vitiligo. Future studies with larger groups are warranted to confirm our results.
Review of current clinical studies of vitiligo treatments
AbstractThere is a limited number of options in vitiligo treatment, with the disease frequently refractory to all existing treatment modalities. This warrants development of novel and improving existing vitiligo treatments as well as finding predicting factors to improve treatment outcome through appropriate selection and the most efficient application of a treatment. These issues are addressed in clinical studies aiming to evaluate safety and efficiency of novel treatments, improvements and modifications introduced to existing treatments, and to define predictors of treatment efficiency and their limitations. Here, results of recent (since year 2009) clinical studies in vitiligo field are overviewed, with the emphasis on their contribution to improved vitiligo management.
AbstractABSTRACT: There are many options available for the treatment of vitiligo, the majority of which have as their goal to restore pigment. Sunscreens not only help prevent sunburn (thus preventing the resulting Koebnerization), but they also lessen the contrast between normal skin and the vitiliginous lesions. There are two major types of sunscreens: chemical sunscreens which function by absorbing the ultraviolet B (UVB) and/or UVA and physical sunscreens which block or scatter the ultraviolet rays. Cosmetics can be used for patients with limited lesions, especially those on the face and neck. An advantage to cosmetics is their limited number of side effects and ease of application. Topical corticosteroids are another option available for treating vitiligo. Lesions on the face, neck and extremities (with the exception of the fingers and toes) appear to repigment better with corticosteroids than other parts of the body. Repigmentation may take 4 months or longer; however, it should be noted that recurrence can occur upon discontinuation. Psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) therapy, both topical and oral, is the most common medical treatment for vitiligo. PUVA therapy is usually administered once or twice a week, but not on two consecutive days. Narrow-band UVB radiation is an alternative to standard PUVA therapy, but without many of its side effects. The frequency of narrow-band UVB treatments is similar to that for PUVA therapy.
Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology · 2023 · 6 citations · open access
Identification of Dopachrome Tautomerase (DCT) and Kinesin Family Member 1A (KIF1A) as Related Biomarkers and Immune Infiltration Characteristics of Vitiligo Based on Lasso-SVM Algorithms
AbstractObjective: To identify potential diagnostic markers for vitiligo and determine the significance of immune cell infiltration in pathology. Methods: Three publicly available gene expression profiles (GSE53146, GSE75819 and GSE65127 datasets) from human vitiligo and control samples were downloaded from the GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between 20 vitiligo and 20 control samples. Logical regression of the selection operator (LASSO) model and support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) analysis were performed to identify candidate biomarkers. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value was obtained and was used to evaluate the discriminatory ability. The expression level and diagnostic value of the biomarkers in vitiligo were further validated in the GSE65127 dataset (10 vitiligo patients and 10 healthy controls). Finally, the immune cell infiltration of vitiligo was evaluated by CIBERSORT, and the correlation between biomarkers and infiltrating immune cells was analyzed. The compositional patterns of the 22 types of immune cell fractions in vitiligo were estimated from the pooled cohorts using CIBERSORT. In addition, we established a mouse model of vitiligo with monobenzone and validated the screened biomarkers. Results: A total of 23 associated DEGs were identified, including 9 up-regulated and 14 down-regulated genes. Subsequently, 17 genes meeting prognostic criteria and 2 common genes (DCT and KIF1A) were obtained by SVM and Venn diagram screening. Immunodifferential analysis showed that microenvironment of vitiligo patients was altered. Finally, the different expression was verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Conclusion: Biomarkers associated with vitiligo can be screened by comprehensive strategies, and immune cell infiltration plays a key role in the development of vitiligo.
Expert Review of Clinical Immunology · 2025 · 4 citations
Potential future biologic therapies for the treatment of vitiligo: focus on phase 2 and 3
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the loss of melanocytes, leading to depigmented patches on the skin and mucous membranes. Its increasing prevalence and impact on patients' quality of life highlight the need for updated therapeutic strategies. AREAS COVERED: This review discusses recent advances in the understanding of vitiligo pathogenesis, focusing on genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and immune dysregulation-particularly the role of autoreactive CD8+ T cells and inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ. The literature search included recent clinical trials and emerging therapies. Novel approaches, including JAK inhibitors (e.g. povorcitinib, upadacitinib) and monoclonal antibodies (e.g. anifrolumab), are evaluated for their efficacy and safety based on phase II and III clinical trial data. EXPERT OPINION: Targeted therapies that address immune mechanisms and oxidative stress represent promising advances in vitiligo management and may substantially improve patient outcomes in the near future.
Association of SOD1 gene variants (50 bp Ins/Del, rs4817415, rs2070424, rs1041740, rs17880135) with plasma protein levels in vitiligo patients and their analysis in silico.
AbstractOBJECTIVE: Vitiligo is a common systemic, idiopathic autoimmune disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of variants of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene (50 bp Ins/Del, rs4817415, rs2070424, rs1041740, rs17880135) and circulating plasma protein levels through in-silico analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from adult patients of both sexes with a clinical diagnosis of vitiligo. ELISA tests for SOD and analysis of gene variants by qPCR were compared to a disease-free reference group. RESULTS: The population analyzed was young people between 29 and 37 years old, with a higher percentage of women. The population was found in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). The 50 bp Ins/Del, rs4817415, and rs2070424 variants showed no significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). Although, in the dominant model, the CT and CTTT genotypes of the rs1041740 and rs17880135 variants showed an association with susceptibility to vitiligo compared to the control. Plasma SOD levels showed significant differences between the groups, and when stratified according to the genotypes of each variant, there was a significant difference, except with the rs17880135 variant. The haplotypes InsCGTC and InsAGCC are shown to be risk factors for susceptibility to vitiligo. The in-silico analysis demonstrated that the rs4817415, rs2070424, rs1041740, and rs17880135 variants of the SOD1 gene participate in the modification of selected regulatory elements for differentiating the protein, transcription factors, and long non-coding RNA. CONCLUSIONS: Information regarding the pathogenesis of vitiligo helps recognize risk factors and identify the relationship of diagnostic markers of cell damage inherent to the disease. This will help improve aspects of prevention and the choice of treatment alternatives appropriate to each case.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
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