Alopecia Universalis Successfully Treated With Adalimumab
October 2014
in “
JAMA dermatology
”
Studysummary This case report describes a woman with alopecia universalis, resistant to multiple treatments, who experienced successful hair regrowth with adalimumab, suggesting potential mechanisms for future investigation.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A woman in her 30s with alopecia universalis, unresponsive to multiple treatments, experienced complete hair regrowth after being treated with adalimumab, a TNF inhibitor. Despite TNF inhibitors generally being ineffective or even worsening AA, this case showed significant improvement within weeks, with full regrowth at 6 months. The patient relapsed after discontinuing adalimumab due to infections but regained hair upon resuming treatment. This suggested that individual genetic factors, such as TNF gene polymorphisms, might influence the response to TNF inhibitors in AU, warranting further research into this treatment approach.
