Revolutionary Compound Shows Promise in Slowing Vitiligo Progression

A natural compound derived from gut-friendly bacteria has been found to significantly slow the progression of vitiligo and may restore pigmentation, according to a new pre-clinical study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University in mice.

This finding brings hope to the millions affected by the autoimmune disease, which causes visible patches of skin discoloration and can have profound emotional and physical consequences.

The results in our model were astonishing. Administering a microbial compound weekly to vitiligo-prone mice significantly suppressed disease progression. It made a spectacular difference in an aggressive model of the disease.”

—I. Caroline Le Poole, senior study author, professor of dermatology and microbiology-immunology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

The study was published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Study Details

Le Poole and her team administered a microbial product weekly to vitiligo-prone mice over an 18-week period. By the end of the study, pigment loss on the mice’s backs was reduced by 74%.

The product reduced killer T cells that attack the skin’s pigment and increased protective regulatory T cells, which are often lacking in vitiligo patients.

“This simple microbial compound could work as a standalone therapy, or in synergy with existing treatments,” Le Poole noted.

Limitations of Existing Treatments

In 2022, the FDA approved the first re-pigmentation therapy for vitiligo: Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream. Clinical trials showed that only 30% of patients using the cream regained 75% or more skin re-pigmentation on their face.

“Our findings about the effectiveness of microbial therapy could offer hope to patients who are not well-served by current treatments,” Le Poole stated.

The Severity of Vitiligo

Vitiligo affects 0.5% to 2% of the global population and is linked to other health challenges, including higher risks for cardiovascular disease, psychological distress, and endocrine disorders.

The discoloration often appears on the face, scalp, hands, and arms, as well as around body openings like the mouth and genitals. Many individuals with vitiligo also have other autoimmune conditions.

Le Poole, who has dedicated over 30 years to studying vitiligo, found that the disease is more severe in individuals with darker skin tones. The visibility of the discoloration can amplify stigma and emotional distress in these patients.

“Patients often feel powerless as they watch their disease progress, unsure how they will look next month,” Le Poole said. “For many, halting the disease’s progression would be life-changing.”

While the disease can impact self-esteem—especially for adolescents navigating social pressures—some people choose to embrace it.

“We’ve seen beautiful models with vitiligo challenging societal norms, and that’s wonderful,” Le Poole added. “But for those who want treatment, it’s important to provide real options that can arrest the disease’s progression.”

Future Directions

The next challenge is adapting the microbial product for human use. Le Poole suggests that weekly injections could work, but she also explores simpler options like a food additive or ointment.

Determining the duration of the effects and the best timing for treatment are crucial next steps.

Le Poole believes that the same microbial compound could also treat other autoimmune conditions involving killer T cells in the skin.

“Our next step is collaborating with scientists from several institutions to refine the compound, understand its mechanisms, and determine whether it works alongside existing treatments for autoimmune disease,” she explained.

Le Poole’s lab is located at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University.

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