Vitiligo: successful combination treatment based on oral low dose cytokines and different topical treatments
Authors: J Hercogova
T Lotti
S Gianfaldoni
M Fioranelli
U Wollina
A A Chokoeva
M G Roccia
G Tchernev
Z Zarrab
Journal: Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents (0)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Vitiligo; combination therapies; Low Dose Cytokines; systemic oral treatment; topical treatments
Affiliations: Professor and Chair of Dermatology, University of Rome G. Marconi Rome, Italy., Dept. Dermatology, 2nd Medical School, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic., Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany., Onkoderma-Policlinic for Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatologic surgery, Sofia, Bulgaria., University of Rome G. Marconi, Rome, Italy., Department of dermatologic Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy., Chandigarh University, Punjab, India., Associate Professor of Physiology, University B.I.S. Group of Institutions, Punjab Technical University, Punjab, India.

Abstract:  The current treatments for Vitiligo are not completely satisfactory in terms of clinical, aesthetic and compliance results for patients. Recently, combination therapies had been introduced with positive results. In this paper the combination between systemic oral treatment with Low Dose Cytokines in association with other topical treatments was evaluated. Positive results were obtained both with Low Dose Cytokines alone or in association with microphototherapy with positive percentage of skin repigmentation varying between 74% and 90%. Collected data allow the authors to affirm that the treatment with oral low dose SKA drugs is efficacious per se and highly efficacious in association with targeted phototherapy. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 The paper describes  the treatment [of vitiligo] with oral low dose SKA drugs . What is not made explicit in the text is that  low dose here means  homeopathic , i.e. diluted successively until no molecules of the original preparation remain in the commercial product; and that  SKA means Sequential kinetic activation , i.e. agitating the product during the process of successive dilution, replacing the classical homeopathic term of  succussion . Presumably someone in the GUNA company - suppliers of the products used in this study - thought that succussion had too many connotations of magical thinking and mumbo-jumbo. The observation that  LDM protocol for the treatment of Vitiligo is ... safe and well tolerated is hardly surprising, given the absence of active molecules. Anyway, two questions come to mind: 1. We read that  The aim of this observational retrospective spontaneous study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral systemic administration of low dose SKA drugs (GUNA-FGF, GUNA-Interleukin 10, GUNA-Interleukin 4, GUNA-anti IL 1) (GUNA S.p.A., Milan, Italy) . I cannot find an account in the text of how the authors came by the supply of homeopathic products. Did they buy them commercially? Were they supplied by the GUNA company? 2. Subjects were also irradiated with UV light:  UVB microphototherapy equipment and algorithm (Bioskinu00ae) Bioskinu00ae is a phototherapy device consisting of a short-arc generator emitting a beam of visible and ultraviolet radiations, which used a particular interference filter in order to obtain UVB narrowband only. The time of emission is regulated by the operator. Bioskinu00ae can provide a spectrum of intensity up to 400 m W cm2 with an emission spectrum ranging from 300 to 320 nm, and a peak emission of 311 nm. Patients were irradiated once every 2 weeks for 6 consecutive autumn and winter months as previously described (17).  The first author here, T. Lotti, is [Chief Medical Officer of the Bioskin company](http: www.gunceltipdernegi.org pdf Torello-Lotti.pdf). Does this constitute a conflict of interest? Should this dual role have been acknowledged in the paper? ![file] , 
 Curiously, there is no record of this paper on the website of the purported publisher. The Pubmed record, [consisting of the Abstract] , refers to pagination  Jan-Mar 2015;29(1 Suppl):53-8 . No such Supplement is indexed: indexing jumps from 2013 Supplements to a supplement for the Apr-Jun 2015 issue. That entire  Global Dermatology issue does not exist. The Search function on the website provides no assistance. ![file] A paper which does not exist has been cited 28 times, according to Google Scholar. ,