Vitiligo News and Research

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Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Similar patches also appear on both the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose) and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). The hair that grows on areas affected by vitiligo sometimes turns white.

Novel bioelectric signals can cause stem cells to trigger melanoma-like growth in pigment cells

Biologists at Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences have discovered that a change in membrane voltage in newly identified "instructor cells" can cause stem cells' descendants to trigger melanoma-like growth in pigment cells. The Tufts team also found that this metastatic transformation is due to changes in serotonin transport. The discovery could aid in the prevention and treatment of diseases like cancer and vitiligo as well as birth defects.

19 Oct 2010

Coalition for At-Risk Youth helps foster children improve self-esteem

There is no denying that teenagers in the foster care system need special support so they can begin to develop the skills that will take them successfully into adulthood. Those with skin, hair or nail diseases may face even more challenges because their self-esteem may have been shattered by the obvious signs of their condition.

14 Oct 2010

DEKA Medical announces availability of new SmartXide DOT HP Fractional CO2 laser

DEKA Medical announced today the immediate availability of the High-Powered SmartXide DOT. The new SmartXide DOT HP Fractional CO2 laser, with average power of 50W, can attain irradiance of up to 250W of power with each pulse. This makes the new SmartXide DOT HP the most powerful superpulse CO2 laser available to aesthetic physicians.

19 Jul 2010

PhotoMedex receives multi-million dollar order from AMICO Group to purchase XTRAC laser systems

PhotoMedex, Inc. announced that the Company has received from AMICO Group, its distributor in the Middle East, a multi-million dollar order to purchase XTRAC laser systems that will be installed in hospitals throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The order includes customary terms and conditions, including advanced payments and letters of credit covering the purchase order. Delivery is expected to be in the third and fourth quarters of this year.

8 Jul 2010

Vitiligo associated with genes variations linked to body's immune response

Scientists including researchers from the University of Florida have discovered additional evidence that generalized vitiligo - a disease that typically causes patches of white skin on the face, neck and extremities that pop star Michael Jackson may have experienced - is associated with slight variations in genes that play a role in the body's natural defenses.

8 Jun 2010

PhotoMedex announces combination study of XTRAC Velocity laser and Clobex spray for generalized psoriasis

PhotoMedex, Inc. announced today that John Koo, MD will be the principal investigator in a clinical study assessing the efficacy of the XTRAC Velocity® excimer laser in the treatment of generalized psoriasis when used in combination with Clobex® spray. Dr. Koo is Professor and Vice Chairman in the Department of Dermatology at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Spearheading the study will be Dr. Koo's colleague, Tina Bhutani, MD.

8 Jun 2010

Vitiligo is associated with variations in genes that play role in body's natural defenses: Scientists

Scientists including researchers from the University of Florida have discovered additional evidence that generalized vitiligo — a disease that typically causes patches of white skin on the face, neck and extremities that pop star Michael Jackson may have experienced — is associated with slight variations in genes that play a role in the body's natural defenses.

7 Jun 2010

Valocor Therapeutics acquires, licenses dermatology therapeutic programs from QLT

Valocor Therapeutics, Inc., a newly formed company focused on the development of innovative therapies for the treatment of dermatologic conditions, today announced the acquisition and license of certain dermatology therapeutic programs from QLT Inc.. This transaction was facilitated by a seed financing for Valocor led by the Working Opportunity Fund, which is managed by GrowthWorks Capital Ltd.

25 May 2010

People with vitiligo may have less risk of developing malignant melanoma: Research

People with the skin pigmentation disorder vitiligo may have less risk of developing life-threatening malignant melanoma, according to new research. The study also further confirms the suspicion that vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, which occur when the body's immune system reacts against its own tissues or organs.

22 Apr 2010

Mayo Clinic Health Letter: UV light slows skin cell overgrowth, alters immune system

Ultraviolet light -- a culprit behind sunburns, wrinkles and skin cancer -- offers benefits for some skin conditions, according to the April issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

9 Apr 2010

China Sky One Medical prepares for commercial launch 13 new SFDA approved products

China Sky One Medical, Inc., a leading fully integrated pharmaceutical company producing over-the-counter drugs in the People's Republic of China, today announced the pending commercial launch of 13 new SFDA approved products over the next few quarters.

22 Mar 2010

Skin transplant surgery safe and effective for treating vitiligo

In the first study of its kind in the United States, Henry Ford Hospital showed that skin transplant surgery is safe and effective for treating vitiligo.

10 Mar 2010

PhotoMedex regains compliance with Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement

PhotoMedex, Inc. today announced that it has regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of The Nasdaq Stock Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1).

21 Jan 2010

PhotoMedex, Galderma Laboratories enter into co-promotion agreement for photodynamic therapy application

PhotoMedex and Galderma Laboratories, L.P. have entered into a co-promotion agreement for Galderma’s photodynamic therapy application for the treatment of actinic keratoses (“AK”).

11 Jan 2010

Lerner Medical Devices' Levia receives FDA clearance

Lerner Medical Devices, Inc. announced today that Levia®, a novel, in-home, ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy device, has received 510 (k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of psoriasis and certain other skin conditions such as vitiligo.

6 Jan 2010

PhotoMedex to host free seminar to fight against psoriasis with XTRAC Excimer Lasers

PhotoMedex, Inc. a leading provider of advanced dermatology, clinical skincare and medical laser products, is hosting a free seminar in Indianapolis, IN on November 17, 2009.

16 Nov 2009

Seminar on XTRAC Velocity Laser treatments for psoriasis sufferers

PhotoMedex, Inc. a leading provider of advanced dermatology, clinical skincare and medical laser products, is hosting a free seminar in Indianapolis, IN on November 17, 2009.

28 Oct 2009

PhotoMedex announces the closure of private placement, raises $2.7 million

PhotoMedex, Inc. today announced that it has closed a private placement of approximately 4.17 million shares of its common stock at a price of $0.65 per share. Gross proceeds from the private placement are approximately $2.7 million. The purchasers were accredited investors, some of which were institutions.

24 Oct 2009

National Biological to market Quantel's 308 Excimer System in the U.S.

Quantel SA (Euronext: QUA), a leading manufacturer of solid state lasers, announced today that it has entered into a Distribution Agreement with National Biological, a leading researcher and developer of light-based systems for medical and cosmetic treatments, for Quantel's 308 Excimer System for monochromatic UVB treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo in the United States.

15 Oct 2009

Nasdaq Stock Market issues noncompliance notice to PhotoMedex

PhotoMedex, Inc. (Nasdaq:PHMD) (the “Company”) announced today that it received notification from The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) on September 15, 2009 that the Company was not in compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on Nasdaq’s Global Market exchange under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(5) (the “Rule”).

19 Sep 2009