HIGHLIGHTS
GVF’S ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM
The Global Vitiligo Foundation hosted our Annual Scientific Symposium on March 6, 2025 in Orlando, Florida, as part of the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting
We were excited and honored to welcome ov 140 dermatologists, residents, medical studen persons with vitiligo, and industry representatives from around the world.
We are especially grateful to our “Patients wi Vitiligo Perspectives” panelists who shared their experiences with our attendees: Jarrett Brown, Shahnawaz Towheed, Sharolyn Hagen and Chaired by Dr. Richard Huggins.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Scientific Symposium
Upcoming Events
Our Sponsors
Hearing directly from persons with vitiligo ensures that GVF’s work remains patient-centered as we further our mission to improve the quality of life for individuals with vitiligo through education, research, clinical care, and community support.
We were honored to welcome esteemed guest speakers who shared their expertise and insights with us. Presentations by Dr. Chau Yee Ng and Dr. Tasneem Mohammad sparked important conversations and inspired attendees to continue advocating for vitiligo research and awareness
ThankYoutoour Symposium
Sponsor:
Photo: Co-Chairs Khaled Ezzedine, MD, Pearl E. Grimes, MD and Chair Iltefat Hamzavi, MD
SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM
GLOBAL SIGNATURES OF EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION
At the GVF’s Scientific Symposium, we were pleased to showcase 38 submitted abstracts from around the world. They highlighted groundbreaking and seminal research, reflecting the global commitment to advancing vitiligo care. These diverse investigations explored key areas including disease pathogenesis, the broad clinical spectrum of vitiligo, and recent innovations in therapeutic approaches.
ORAL ABSTRACTS & PRESENTERS
Afamelanotide: A Novel Promising Treatment for Vitiligo Case Studies from the Randomized CUV105 Clinical Trial - Faranak Kamangar, MD, Palo Alto, CA, US
Autologous Skin Cell Suspension Plus Phototherapy in Stable Vitiligo: Cost Implications of Improving Skin Repigmentation from a U.S. Economic Model – Iltefat Hamzavi, MD, Detroit, Michigan, US
Downregulated Ahr Expression is Linked with Increased IFN-Γ Production and Impaired Immune Checkpoint Upregulation in Vitiligo – Reinhart Speeckaert, MD, Ghent, Belgium
Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Vitiligo-Associated Hearing Loss Among Patients Enrolled in a Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Povorcitinib – Michael DePietro, MD, Wilmington, Delaware, US
Objective Vitiligo Lesion Assessment: Evaluating the Performance of Semi-Automatic Analysis Using Standardized UV Images to Overcome Limitations of Target-VASI – Robin Sinha, MD, Paris, France
Bidirectional Association between Vitiligo and Melasma: A Large-Scale Population-Based Study – Shany Sherman, MD, Petah Tikva, Israel
Erase Vitiligo Early Repigmentation Approach for Stopping the Evolution of Vitiligo – Thierry Passeron, MD, Nice, France
A Retrospective Study of the Clinical Spectrum and Laboratory Findings in Late-Onset Vitiligo – Nicole Oparaugo, Medical Student and Research Fellow, Los Angelos, California, US
Therapeutic Potential of a Fully Human Anti-IFN-Γ Monoclonal Antibody (EI-001): EI-001 Reverses Direct Melanocytotoxicity in Vitiligo and Updates in the Phase 1 Clinical Trial – Chau Yee Ng, MD, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
A Novel Biomarker in Vitiligo - Myth or Reality? – Chinmayee Anand Nityandila, MD, Bengaluru, India
Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Adults with Extensive Non-Segmental Vitiligo: Subgroup Analysis at 24 Weeks of Treatment – Khaled Ezzedine, MD, Paris, France
Impact of Treatment Duration on Response Durability: A Post Hoc Analysis of the True-V Long-Term Extension Study of Ruxolitinib Cream in Vitiligo – David Rosmarin, MD, Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Response to Ritlecitinib with or without Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B Add-On Therapy in Patients with Active Non-Segmental Vitiligo – Iltefat Hamzavi, MD, Detroit, Michigan, US
SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM
GLOBAL SIGNATURES OF EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION
POSTER ABSTRACTS & PRESENTERS
Vitiligo: Challenging Cultural Assumptions and Shaping Identity - Hamna Khuld, MS, New York, NY, US
The Influence of Oxidative Stress on The Functional Activity of The Thyroid Gland - Botir Saatov, MD, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Vitiligo is Associated with Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Nested Case-Control Study - Vineeth Vaidyula, Medical Student, New York, NY, US
National Institutes of Health Funding for Vitiligo Research: Trends from 1985 to 2024 - Abdulaziz Hamid, MD, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
Experiences with Ruxolitinib Cream in Vitiligo Patient’s Own Words: A Social Listening Analysis - Swapna Ambati, Wilmington, Delaware, US
A Randomized Study to Compare the Efficacy of Topical Tofacitinib versus Topical Tacrolimus in Treatment of Patients with Unstable Vitiligo – Davinder Parsad, PhD, Chandigarh, India
Integrating Shared Decision-Making Aids into Early Medical Education: Insights from a Pilot Study on Vitiligo - Crystal Liang, MD, San Diego, CA, US
Drying of Opzelura® (Ruxolitinib) Cream 1.5%: Implications for Clinical and Real-World Use – Adnan Nasir, MD, Raleigh, North Carolina, US
Beyond Depigmentation: Trinetx Insights into Sarcoidosis Risk in Vitiligo Patients - Racha Cherradi, Medical Student, Houston, Texas, US
An Open-Label, Phase 2, Safety and Efficacy Study of Ruxolitinib Cream in Patients with Genital VitiligoThierry Passeron, MD, Nice, France
Exploring Demographic Differences in Vitiligo Access to Care - Britney Nguyen, Medical Student, Irvine, California, US
Cellular-Resolution Full-Field, Artificial-Intelligence-Assisted, Real-Time Optical Coherence Tomography in the Evaluation of Vitiligo Grafting - Chau Yee Ng, , Taoyuan City, Taiwan
Improving Adolescent Awareness of Vitiligo through the AAD’s Good Skin Knowledge Educational ModuleSavannah Fakhouri, Medical Student, San Diego, California, US
Impact of Demographic and Clinical Characteristics on Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Well-Being of Patients with Vitiligo - Iltefat Hamzavi, MD, Detroit, Michigan, US
Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Adults with Extensive Non-Segmental Vitiligo in Six Body Regions across 52 Weeks of Treatment - David Rosmarin, MD, Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Vitiligo Skin Organ Culture Model as Preclinical Research Platform: Insights into Ruxolitinib’s Anti inflammatory and Pigmentation-Promoting responses - Marta Bertolini, MD, Münster, Germany
Newly Developed Uveitis and Vitiligo following COVID-19 Inactivated vaccine, a Case Report - Hagar El Sayed, Cairo, Egypt
Dose Selection of Upadacitinib in Non-Segmental Vitiligo (NSV): Pharmacokinetic and Exposure-Response Analyses of a Phase 2 Study in Subjects with NSV - Bethanee Schlosser, MD, Raleigh, North Carolina, US
Theseimagestellthe
Global Vitiligo Foundation’s Vitiligo Physician Education Summit is a groundbreaking event dedicated to educating dermatologists and advanced practice providers on the foundational science of vitiligo diagnosis and treatment. This summit will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest clinical guidelines, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic approaches, equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to offer high-quality care to patients with vitiligo.
In addition to deepening participants' understanding of the biological mechanisms driving vitiligo, this event aims to expand the network of care providers who are confident and competent in managing this complex condition. By fostering a collaborative learning environment, the summit seeks to enhance access to specialized care for the vitiligo community and improve patient outcomes.
Join us in shaping the future of vitiligo care through education, innovation, and collaboration.
Register Here to Attend This Exciting Meeting.
Officers
President - Pearl Grimes, MD, FAAD
President Elect - Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD
Immediate Past President - Amit G. Pandya, MD, FAAD
Treasurer - Richard H. Huggins, MD
Founder - Iltefat Hamzavi, MD
Vice President of Vitiligo Support - Kim Boyd
Board
Jesse Deutsch
Nada
John
Samia Esmat,