Alopecia Areata as Another Immune-Mediated Disease Developed in Patients Treated with Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Blocker Agents

The study reported on five new cases of alopecia areata (AA) that developed in patients undergoing treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) blocker agents, and reviewed eleven additional cases from the literature. It found that one-third of the cases had a personal or family history of AA, and most presented with rapid and extensive hair loss, particularly in the ophiasis area. The prognosis was generally poor, with only slight responses to treatment, and the continuation of anti-TNF-α therapy did not appear to alter the course of AA. The study concluded that while AA is a rare side effect of anti-TNF-α therapy, it may occur more frequently than previously thought, and a history of autoimmune disease could indicate a higher risk of developing or relapsing AA during treatment.