TLDR Dupilumab for atopic dermatitis may cause new or worsen existing alopecia areata.
The document reports two cases where patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) treated with dupilumab experienced changes in their alopecia areata (AA) condition—one with new onset and subsequent improvement of alopecia universalis (AU), and the other with worsening of previously diagnosed alopecia totalis (AT). In the first case, a 51-year-old woman with lifelong AD experienced generalized hair thinning after 26 months of dupilumab treatment, which progressed to AA and then to AU. Despite this, after resuming regular monthly dosing of dupilumab, she experienced dramatic hair regrowth, with 90% scalp regrowth after 10 months. In the second case, a 25-year-old man with severe AD and AT experienced complete loss of his remaining patches of hair after 6 to 8 weeks of dupilumab treatment. His condition did not improve with dupilumab, but he saw improvement with tofacitinib. The document concludes that while dupilumab can provide significant relief for AD, its effects on AA are unclear and can potentially impact the patient's quality of life and self-esteem. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the possibility of new-onset or exacerbation of AA when considering dupilumab treatment for AD.
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49 citations
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January 2019 in “JAAD case reports” Dupilumab may cause significant hair loss, which can reverse after stopping the drug.
53 citations
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March 2018 in “JAAD case reports” Dupilumab for eczema may cause hair loss.
77 citations
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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.
176 citations
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November 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.
2 citations
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September 2021 in “JAAD case reports” Dupilumab helped a woman with severe hair loss regrow her hair quickly and maintain it for six months after stopping treatment.
26 citations
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August 2019 in “JAAD Case Reports” Dupilumab for atopic dermatitis may cause new or worsen existing alopecia areata.
19 citations
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February 2019 in “JAAD case reports” A medication for skin rash also unexpectedly treated hair loss in a patient.
36 citations
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May 2011 in “Dermatologic therapy” No treatments fully cure or prevent alopecia areata; some help but have side effects or need more research.
109 citations
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May 2011 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that can lead to complete baldness, often associated with other autoimmune conditions, and half of the cases may see hair return within a year.
