Vitiligo is a skin condition that can be hard to live with. It changes how you look and can affect how you feel about yourself. This can make your life more difficult.¹ Luckily, clinical trials help scientists learn more about potential new treatments for vitiligo. They test how well treatments work and their safety for treating vitiligo symptoms.²

History of Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are very important to medical research. They test treatments to see if they work and are safe. This wouldn’t be possible without people who volunteer for these studies.²

Clinical trials have been around for a long time. As far back as 500 B.C., people in Babylon were tested with different diets to see which one led to better physical fitness.³ Later, in 1747, a doctor did the first modern clinical trial to find out which diets helped with scurvy.³

In 1862, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was created. One of its jobs is to make sure clinical trials in the United States are safe.^3-5

Why Are Clinical Trials Important?

There are many reasons why clinical trials are important.

Finding More Treatments

People who join clinical trials help researchers study new investigational treatments. This can lead to more treatment options for people with diseases such as vitiligo.²

Helping Others

Some people join clinical trials to help others.² Clinical trial results can help make scientific discoveries. While they come with risks, clinical trials may benefit not just the people participating but also future generations.⁶

Potential to Improve Participants’ Health

Clinical trials help us understand if an investigational treatment works, and if the benefits of that treatment outweigh the risks or side effects.²

Including Different People in Health Care

Not everyone with a condition has the same symptoms or responses to treatment. It’s important for people from different backgrounds to join clinical trials.² This helps scientists understand how treatments work for more people.²

Ask Your Health Care Provider About Clinical Trials

Talk to your health care provider if you’re interested in joining a clinical trial for vitiligo. They can explain the risks and benefits and answer your questions.

Here are some questions you might ask about a clinical trial²:

• How will safety be monitored?
• How long will this study last?
• How often do I need to go to the research site?
• Will my travel costs be covered?
• Will I have to pay for the treatment?
• What are the risks and benefits?
• Will I get a real treatment or a placebo (fake treatment)?

Your doctor can help answer these questions or connect you with the study investigator who can help.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyVitiligoTeam is the social network for people with vitiligo and their loved ones. On MyVitiligoTeam, over 13,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with vitiligo.

Have you ever considered joining a clinical trial? Do you have questions about clinical trials? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.