Alefacept for Alopecia Areata

The study on alefacept for treating alopecia areata (AA) involved four patients who received weekly 15-mg intramuscular injections for 12 weeks. Results varied: one patient had slight improvement, another had 50% regrowth of vellus hair, a third had extensive regrowth of nonpigmented terminal hair, and the fourth had patchy regrowth of terminal pigmented hair. CD4+ cell counts remained normal, and no adverse effects were reported. The study suggested that while alefacept showed some effectiveness, adjustments in dose or duration might be necessary, and the complex pathogenesis of AA could limit its efficacy. Further research with larger groups and longer follow-ups was recommended.