Emerging Role of Baricitinib in Dermatology Practice: All We Need to Know

January 2023 in “ Indian Dermatology Online Journal ”

S. Dogra, Shikha Shah, Ayush Sharma, Seema Chhabra, Tarun Narang

baricitinib Janus Kinase inhibitor JAK-1 JAK-2 alopecia areata atopic dermatitis pro-inflammatory cytokines

From the encyclopedia

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 review discusses the use of baricitinib in dermatology, emphasizing its effectiveness in treating certain dermatoses, while highlighting the need for awareness of its potential side effects and calling for more long-term safety data.

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

Baricitinib, a Janus Kinase inhibitor targeting JAK-1 and JAK-2, demonstrated efficacy in treating severe alopecia areata and moderate-severe atopic dermatitis in adults by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. While its use in other dermatological conditions showed promise, dermatologists needed to be cautious of its potential infectious, thrombotic, cardiovascular, and malignant side effects. The long-term safety data in dermatology were insufficient, as most safety information was derived from rheumatology. Further research was necessary to better understand its safety and efficacy in dermatological applications.

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13 / 13 results

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 The Efficacy and Safety of JAK Inhibitors for Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies

37 citations , August 2022 in “Frontiers in pharmacology”

This study found that oral JAK inhibitors are effective and generally well-tolerated for treating alopecia areata, but high recurrence rates after stopping treatment suggest the need for continuous use.

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.

research Application of Baricitinib in Dermatology

14 citations , March 2022 in “Journal of inflammation research”

This review discusses the application and potential of baricitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, for treating dermatological diseases like alopecia areata and reports no new clinical results.

Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor Baricitinib in the Treatment of Adults with Alopecia Areata: Phase 2 Results from a Randomized Controlled Study

research Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor Baricitinib in the Treatment of Adults with Alopecia Areata: Phase 2 Results from a Randomized Controlled Study

66 citations , June 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this phase 2 study, baricitinib at 2 mg and 4 mg doses significantly improved hair regrowth in adults with alopecia areata and ≥50% scalp hair loss compared to placebo, without new safety concerns, although the small sample size limits the results' generalizability.

research A Comprehensive Literature Review of JAK Inhibitors in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

40 citations , June 2021 in “Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology”

This review explores the efficacy and outcomes of using JAK inhibitors for treating alopecia areata, noting advancements in understanding the disease's pathomechanisms and suggesting that JAK inhibitors may offer targeted therapeutic benefits by blocking specific inflammatory pathways involved in this chronic condition.

research Treatment of Pediatric Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

48 citations , April 2021 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that topical corticosteroids are the most supported first-line treatment for pediatric alopecia areata, with contact immunotherapy as the next best option.

‘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.

research Benefit and Risk Profile of Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

54 citations , September 2019 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study found that tofacitinib shows reasonable effectiveness for treating alopecia areata with mild adverse effects, although more large-scale randomized trials are needed to fully assess its safety and efficacy.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review of Disease Pathogenesis

191 citations , May 2018 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

This study reviewed recent theories on alopecia areata's pathogenesis, highlighting its autoimmune nature due to immune privilege disruption in hair follicles, and noted current treatments have limited efficacy with high relapse rates, underscoring the need for further research into its mechanisms for better therapies.

Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018