Nitisinone increases melanin in people with albinism

(NIH/National Eye Institute) A small pilot clinical study at the National Eye Institute (NEI) suggests that the drug nitisinone increases melanin production in some people with oculocutaneous albinism type 1B (OCA-1B), a rare genetic disease that causes pale skin and hair and poor vision. Increased melanin could help protect people with the condition against the sun's UV rays and promote the development of normal vision.

Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - February 20, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: news