UMass Chan Department of Dermatology

07/25/2024

Seeing yourself represented in the world around you is powerful.

We’re thrilled to see dolls, Legos, and even video games finally featuring vitiligo! It's a huge step towards inclusivity and representation. Our latest blog post dives into why this matters and how it can empower children to feel confident in their own unique skin.

Imagine a world where every child can look at their toys and see themselves reflected back. What a difference it could make!

What toys would you love to see feature vitiligo?

Vitiligo representation is growing in toys! Dolls, video games, and more now feature vitiligo. This promotes acceptance and understanding of vitiligo.

05/21/2024

Mark your calendars, Boston! On June 25, 2024, the iconic Prudential Tower and the Boylston Plaza will turn on their purple lights in honor of World Vitiligo Day and Vitiligo Awareness Month. This dazzling display is a powerful symbol of solidarity for those living with vitiligo, a skin condition that causes pigment loss.

Boston goes purple for World Vitiligo Day (June 25th, 2024)! Landmarks lit up to raise awareness for vitiligo.

01/09/2024

🌟 Exciting News! Join Us for the VIGOR Q&A: Meet the Investigators Webinar! 🌟

📅 Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
🕒 Time: 7:00pm EST

Discover the world of vitiligo research as we bring you an engaging session with the lead investigators of our VIGOR study – John Harris, MD, PhD, and Manuel Garber, PhD. This is your chance to dive deep into the study's objectives, goals, and the passion that fuels our team's commitment to advancing our understanding of vitiligo.

👥 Meet the Investigators:
Learn more about the remarkable journey of our renowned experts, their collaboration, and the impact they are making in the world of vitiligo research.

🔍 Study Overview:
Get an in-depth understanding of the VIGOR study, designed to unravel the mysteries of vitiligo. Explore how this research contributes to our knowledge of the causes of vitiligo and aids in predicting individuals at risk.

❓ Ask Your Questions:
This is YOUR opportunity to engage directly with the investigators! Whether you have questions about vitiligo, inquiries about the study methodology, or you're curious about the potential impact of the research – our experts are here to provide answers.

🌐 Don't miss this exclusive chance to connect with the leading minds in vitiligo research and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference! We look forward to having you with us on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 7:00 pm EST.

🔗 Register Today!

Join us for an engaging and informative webinar where you'll have the exclusive opportunity to connect with the lead investigators of our VIGOR study. This session aims to provide a deeper insight into the groundbreaking research being conducted in this study and to address any questions you may hav...

09/11/2023

🔬 Exciting Opportunity to Contribute to Vitiligo Research! 🔬

Do you or a family member have vitiligo? We invite you to participate in a groundbreaking study led by Clinicians and Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School. Our goal? To understand the causes of vitiligo and predict who might be at risk of developing it in the future.

🧬 What's Special About This Study?
1. Genetic Insights: We aim to uncover how genes influence who develops vitiligo.
2. 5-Year Commitment: Your participation could directly contribute to the search for a vitiligo cure over the next five years.
3. Fully Remote: No in-person visits required! Everything can be done from the comfort of your home.

📣 Who Can Enroll?
If you have vitiligo and you live in the United States or Canada, you're eligible to join the study. We also encourage enrolling your parents, siblings, or children who do not have vitiligo but might be at higher risk due to family history. Your contribution could make a significant impact!

🔗 Learn more about the VIGOR Study:
https://vigor.umassmed.edu/vigor/

Take a step towards advancing vitiligo research and finding potential treatments. Your participation matters! Visit the link above to explore the study's goals, science, and easily enroll by filling out a short form.

Let's come together to make a difference for those living with vitiligo!

05/15/2023

Dr. John Harris recently spoke at the annual Hudson Hoagland Society meeting where he discussed breakthroughs in vitiligo and how they've helped advance treatment options for many autoimmune diseases. You can listen to the presentation in its entirety below!

Dr. John Harris discusses breakthroughs in vitiligo and how they've helped advance treatment options for many autoimmune diseases

11/16/2022

We’re excited to announce that our very own Sarah Whitley, MD, PhD has published a study on resident memory T cells and in the November issue of Science Immunology! Read more about it below.

IL-23 from CD301b+ myeloid cells sustains the skin TH17 TRM reservoir to promote antifungal immunity and psoriasis-like inflammation.

11/07/2022

Dr. John E. Harris, MD, PhD, professor and Chair of Dermatology, founding director of the Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center, and founding director of the Autoimmune Therapeutics Institute, is a dermatologist and physician-scientist, caring for patients in a vitiligo specialty clinic. Dr. Harris runs a large NIH-funded research laboratory focused on understanding what causes vitiligo in order to develop new treatments. His group integrates basic, translational, and clinical research strategies to accomplish this. As a result, early clinical trials in vitiligo look promising and more are being developed.

Dr. Harris is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Dermatology Division, Department of Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) in Worcester, MA.

10/19/2022

Narrow-band ultraviolet light B is one of the most successful treatments for patients with vitiligo. It is largely safe when administered correctly, but requires a time commitment as it is most often performed in a dermatologist’s office 2-3x per week.

There are a number of effective treatments that help improve vitiligo. These include topical creams and ointments, phototherapy, depigmentation creams, and more

10/17/2022

The Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center is focused on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo, and the study of vitiligo with the goal of developing new treatments. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest updates from our center!

Subscribe to UMass Chan’s Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center newsletter for clinical trial updates, news, and new information about treatments for vitiligo

10/12/2022

With the discovery of many new treatments, we are now offering a variety of different clinical trials for vitiligo patients. These clinical trials offer patients the opportunity to try the newest drugs that are being developed and to contribute to discovering and testing them; thus, changing the future of vitiligo treatment.

We are now enrolling patients in clinical trials for vitiligo

10/11/2022

There are a number of treatments available for vitiligo, and the type of treatment should be tailored for each patient, according to their needs. Visit our website for a list of treatment options that we offer.

There are a number of effective treatments that help improve vitiligo. These include topical creams and ointments, phototherapy, depigmentation creams, and more