The search for objective factors that help in predicting the response of vitiligo treatment is very important. OBJECTIVE:
We sought to evaluate the e ect of NB-UVB phototherapy on both the alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone-microphthalmia-associated
transcription factor (α-MSH-MIFT) axis, and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) in non-segmental vitiligo (NSV). METHODS: This prospective
clinical trial included 50 NSV patients and 50 healthy control subjects. α-MSH tissue levels as well as MITF and IDH2 immunostaining were
assessed in normal and vitiliginous skin biopsies before treatment and then in the repigmented areas following 24 NB-UVB phototherapy
treatment sessions using ELISA technique and immunohistochemical study, respectively. RESULTS: There was a signi cant negative correlation
between baseline VASI scores and the tissue levels of α-MSH (p=0.006) and the expression of both MITF (p |