Alopecia Universalis Treated With Tofacitinib: The Role of JAK/STAT Inhibitors in Hair Regrowth

The document discusses a case of a patient with alopecia universalis, a condition characterized by total-body hair loss, who was successfully treated with tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor. The patient, a 29-year-old woman, had been suffering from the condition for 11 years and had not responded to previous treatments including intralesional triamcinolone, clobetasol, minoxidil, and UVB brush therapy. After starting tofacitinib treatment, initial hair growth was observed within 1-2 months, with progressive hair growth over months 3 to 7. Eyebrow hair growth was noted beginning at month 6. After 1 year, only hair regrowth occurred without any adverse events. After 5 years of treatment, the patient had a full head of thick hair. The document also mentions that tofacitinib has been used for alopecia areata treatment since 2014, but it is not yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.