TLDR Alopecia areata is a hair loss disease caused by complex immune reactions, and new targeted treatments show promise.
The document from November 1, 2020, describes alopecia areata (AA) as an autoimmune disease characterized by hair loss, driven by complex immune mechanisms involving T-helper cells, particularly Th1/IFN-γ and Th2/IL-23. Jak inhibitors have shown clinical efficacy in AA, indicating the significance of these immune pathways. The disease is also associated with comorbidities like atopic and autoimmune thyroid diseases. Current treatments have limited efficacy, but new treatments, including Jak inhibitors, are promising, as evidenced by improvements in SALT scores in placebo-controlled trials. The document also notes that IL-15 and Th2-related biomarkers are upregulated in AA, with GWAS studies identifying Th2-related susceptibility loci. However, treatments targeting Th17 (IL-17A) and PDE4 showed limited efficacy in pilot trials with 11 and 20 patients, respectively. The document concludes that AA involves multiple immune axes and that targeted therapeutics are necessary to better understand and treat the disease.
42 citations,
November 2018 in “Archives of dermatological research” Apremilast was not effective in treating moderate-to-severe alopecia areata.
25 citations,
October 2018 in “Pediatric dermatology” Ustekinumab helped three kids with alopecia areata regrow hair.
182 citations,
December 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Some treatments can help with a hair loss condition called alopecia areata, but none ensure lasting results; choices depend on the person, with JAK inhibitors showing promise for severe cases.
77 citations,
June 2017 in “Advances in Therapy” New treatments for Alopecia Areata, like JAK inhibitors, show promise for hair regrowth and are likely to change future treatment approaches.
65 citations,
December 2015 in “Experimental dermatology” Corticosteroid treatment reduces inflammation and alters hair keratins in alopecia areata.
176 citations,
August 2015 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology” Alopecia areata involves immune activation in the scalp, suggesting treatments targeting TH1, TH2, and IL-23 pathways.
701 citations,
August 2014 in “Nature medicine” Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.
April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology” A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.
