You may have already seen this but in case you haven't:
http://www.drkoop.com/newsdetail/93/602969.html
The pinpointed region of chromosome 17, called NALP1, could be a new target for treatment, said the authors of a study in the March 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
"This part of the immune system may respond to triggers coming from the environment, like bacteria or viruses, and there are indications that you can turn it off. So, we're very, very hopeful that there may be drugs that allow us to do that," said the study's senior author, Dr. Richard A. Spritz, who directs the Human Medical Genetics Program at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center.
Spritz added, "That's not going to help people with childhood diabetes, where the damage is already complete. But, for a number of chronic autoimmune disorders, like lupus and vitiligo, if you turn off the autoimmune process, the body could repair itself."
I hope to take part in his research study and he is looking for more people with vitiligo to help. If you are interested, I will post a link. You do not have to go anywhere and the involvement is minimal, just provide a small sample of skin I think ad fill out a questionaire.