Abstract

REVIEW ON: AFAMELANOTIDE IMPLANT AS EFFECTIVE DRUG TO TREAT VITILIGO AND ERYTHROPOIETIC PROTOPORPHYRIA (EPP)

V. D. Pawar*, A. R. Kurhe and Y. P. Autade

Abstract

Vitiligo is an acquired cutaneous disorder of pigmentation. About 0.5 to 2% of worldwide people are affected by vitiligo. During vitiligo depigmentation occurs, which subsequently form white patches on skin. There are two types of vitiligo viz. Segmental vitiligo and Nonsegmental vitiligo. It occurs due to various factors. The leading causes of vitiligo are autoimmune default, oxidative stress, defective melanocyte and nerve damage. It is seen that the presence of autoantibodies against melanocyte antigens in vitiligo patient, indicates autoimmune involvement in cause of vitiligo. The melanin pigments are produced in the skin via melanin synthesis pathway. Various treatments are used to treat vitiligo i.e. topical corticosteroid, systemic corticosteroid, phototherapy, surgical modalities and depigmentation. Recent novel and potentially effective treatment of vitiligo i.e. Afamelanotide implants brand named as SCENESSE® (afamelanotide 16mg). It is implanted in subcutaneous layer of skin. Afamelanotide is a synthetic analogue of naturally occurring alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, which has a potent and long lasting properties. It is also used to treat Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP) i.e. rare photodermatosis.

Keywords: vitiligo, erythropoietic protoporphyria, autoimmune, melanin.