中国患者数量过千万，白癜风的治疗困局在哪

Core Viewpoint - The treatment of vitiligo in China is currently limited and lacks effective drugs, with a significant patient population facing challenges in management and treatment options [1][3]. Group 1: Disease Overview - Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of melanocytes, leading to skin depigmentation, and affects 1% to 3% of the global population, with approximately 30 million patients in China [1][3]. - A significant portion of patients (63.4%) experience onset before the age of 20, and 75% of patients suffer from anxiety and depression due to the condition [1][3]. Group 2: Current Treatment Landscape - Current treatment methods in China primarily involve topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, which only suppress immune responses and do not promote repigmentation or prevent relapse [3]. - The FDA approved the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib cream for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo in patients aged 12 and older, but it is not yet available in China and cannot be used for children under 12 [3][4]. Group 3: Market Potential and Drug Development - There is a high demand for treatment among the 12 million patients aged 2 to 12 in China, representing 40% of the patient population [3]. - Several pharmaceutical companies are developing new drugs for vitiligo, including new JAK inhibitors and innovative treatments like CKBA ointment by TianKang, which targets T-cell fatty acid metabolism [3][4]. - According to Huafu Securities, the long-term market potential for innovative vitiligo drugs in China is estimated to reach 120 billion to 259 billion yuan under different scenarios, indicating a significant market opportunity [5].