Clinical Benefits of Baricitinib Therapy for Severe Alopecia Areata

November 2023 in “ Dermatology and Therapy ”

Maryanne M. Senna, Oh Sang Kwon, Bianca Maria Piraccini, Rodney Sinclair, Susan Ball, Yuxin Ding, Yunfei Chen, Yves Dutronc, Brett King

baricitinib alopecia areata scalp hair regrowth eyebrow hair regrowth eyelash hair regrowth emotional distress quality of life

From the encyclopedia

Baricitinib →

JAK inhibitor that reduces inflammation and immune attacks on hair follicles, leading to potential hair regrowth, especially in alopecia areata cases

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Studysummary This study found that treatment with baricitinib 4 mg over 52 weeks led to clinically meaningful regrowth of eyebrows and eyelashes in patients with alopecia areata, even without complete scalp hair regrowth.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The post hoc analysis of the BRAVE-AA1 and BRAVE-AA2 trials involving 855 patients with severe alopecia areata found that a 52-week treatment with baricitinib led to significant hair regrowth. At week 52, 70% of patients treated with 4mg of baricitinib showed the greatest improvement in eyebrow and eyelash hair, while 39.0% had significant scalp hair regrowth. Even patients who did not achieve complete scalp hair regrowth experienced eyebrow and eyelash regrowth. The study also found a direct relationship between improvements in emotional distress and scalp hair regrowth, with a greater impact on quality of life for those who responded to the treatment. The study concluded that baricitinib therapy can lead to clinically meaningful regrowth in eyebrow and eyelash hair, even without complete scalp hair regrowth.

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Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

Scalp Hair Regrowth Is Associated With Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychological Symptoms in Patients With Severe Alopecia Areata: Results From Two Randomized Controlled Trials

research Scalp Hair Regrowth Is Associated With Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychological Symptoms in Patients With Severe Alopecia Areata: Results From Two Randomized Controlled Trials

3 citations , June 2023 in “Journal of dermatological treatment”

This study found that patients with severe alopecia areata who experienced meaningful scalp hair regrowth showed greater improvements in health-related quality of life and reduced anxiety and depression compared to those with no or minimal regrowth.

research Efficacy and Safety of Baricitinib in Patients with Severe Alopecia Areata Over 52 Weeks in Phase III Trials

20 citations , February 2023 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

In this study, 40.9% of patients taking 4 mg baricitinib and 21.2% taking 2 mg achieved significant hair regrowth over 52 weeks, indicating potential long-term benefits for adults with severe alopecia areata without introducing new safety concerns.

research Integrated Safety Analysis of Baricitinib in Adults With Severe Alopecia Areata From Two Randomized Clinical Trials

25 citations , November 2022 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

In this analysis, safety data from two clinical trials showed that baricitinib for severe alopecia areata had predictable side effects like infections and elevated CPK, with some serious adverse events noted at low incidence rates; no deaths were reported.

research Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

148 citations , March 2022 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In two phase 3 trials, this study found that oral baricitinib significantly improved hair regrowth compared to placebo in adults with severe alopecia areata after 36 weeks, though longer trials are needed to ascertain its long-term efficacy and safety.

‘You Lose Your Hair, What’s the Big Deal?’ I Was So Embarrassed, I Was So Self-Conscious, I Was So Depressed: A Qualitative Interview Study to Understand the Psychosocial Burden of Alopecia Areata

research ‘You Lose Your Hair, What’s the Big Deal?’ I Was So Embarrassed, I Was So Self-Conscious, I Was So Depressed: A Qualitative Interview Study to Understand the Psychosocial Burden of Alopecia Areata

30 citations , September 2020 in “Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes”

This study found that alopecia areata significantly impacts emotional and psychological well-being, relationships, and lifestyles, highlighting the need for increased awareness and effective treatments.

Development of Clinician-Reported Outcome and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Eyebrow, Eyelash, and Nail Assessment in Alopecia Areata

research Development of Clinician-Reported Outcome and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Eyebrow, Eyelash, and Nail Assessment in Alopecia Areata

56 citations , August 2020 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This study concluded that the ClinRO and PRO measures, along with their photoguides, offer clear and meaningful assessments for patients with alopecia areata concerning eyebrow, eyelash, and nail appearance, as well as eye irritation.

research The Alopecia Areata Investigator Global Assessment Scale: A Measure for Evaluating Clinically Meaningful Success in Clinical Trials

86 citations , January 2020 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study developed the Alopecia Areata Investigator Global Assessment (AA-IGA) to measure scalp-hair loss in alopecia areata patients, incorporating perspectives of both patients and clinicians to define treatment success.

research Response to Tofacitinib Therapy of Eyebrows and Eyelashes in Alopecia Areata

11 citations , November 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that among patients with alopecia areata treated with the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib, 34% achieved complete regrowth of eyebrows and 39% achieved complete regrowth of eyelashes, highlighting differences in treatment responses across hair-bearing sites.

research Spontaneous Hair Regrowth in Eight Patients with Severe Alopecia Areata

3 citations , June 2018 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

This letter reports eight cases of spontaneous hair regrowth in patients with severe alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: Treatment Options and Efficacy

182 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews current and emerging treatments for alopecia areata, including Janus kinase inhibitors, highlighting variability in clinical outcomes and the lack of sustained remission.

research Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

95 citations , July 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review concluded that patients with alopecia areata consistently show poor health-related quality of life scores, similar to those in other chronic skin diseases like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

research S1 Guideline for Diagnostic Evaluation in Androgenetic Alopecia in Men, Women, and Adolescents

151 citations , August 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This guideline reviews the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia and offers expert consensus recommendations tailored to males, females, and adolescents, but reports no new clinical results.