Childhood Alopecia Areata: An Overview of Treatment and Recent Patents

January 2021 in “ Recent patents on inflammation & allergy drug discovery ”

Kam Lun Hon, David Luk, Alexander K C Leung, Chun Wai Ng, Steven King Fan Loo

Alopecia Areata T-lymphocytes hair follicles topical corticosteroids intralesional corticosteroids systemic immunosuppressants excimer laser interleukin-31 antibodies corticosteroid pulse therapy cyclosporine Janus kinase inhibitors tofacitinib ruxolitinib AA JAK inhibitors

TLDR Childhood Alopecia Areata causes hair loss and requires varied treatments, with psychological support being crucial.

The article reviewed the genetics, therapy, prognosis, and recent patents for childhood Alopecia Areata (AA), an autoimmune condition causing hair loss. It highlighted that AA resulted from T-lymphocytes attacking hair follicles, leading to varying degrees of hair loss. Treatments for localized AA included topical and intralesional corticosteroids, while severe cases required systemic immunosuppressants. Emerging treatments like excimer laser and interleukin-31 antibodies showed promise, though none were curative. The article emphasized the importance of psychological support due to the significant psychosocial impact of AA on children and their families. Additionally, it discussed various therapeutic approaches, including corticosteroid pulse therapy, cyclosporine, and Janus kinase inhibitors like tofacitinib and ruxolitinib, with studies involving up to 90 patients. The review underscored the diversity of treatment options and ongoing research efforts to address AA in children.

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research Cyclosporine With and Without Systemic Corticosteroids in Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

13 citations , April 2020 in “Dermatology and therapy”

Cyclosporine combined with corticosteroids is more effective for severe alopecia areata than cyclosporine alone.

research JAK Inhibition in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Promising New Dawn?

29 citations , December 2019 in “Expert review of clinical pharmacology”

JAK inhibitors are a promising new treatment for hair loss and nail problems in alopecia areata.

research Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata with Baricitinib

25 citations , October 2019 in “JAAD Case Reports”

Baricitinib helped a woman with severe hair loss regrow almost all her hair without side effects.

research Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata

37 citations , February 2019 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Ruxolitinib can help regrow hair in severe alopecia areata.

research Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Preadolescent Children

40 citations , February 2019 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib helped some young children with severe hair loss grow their hair back without bad side effects.

research The Use of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Alopecia Areata: A Review of the Literature

17 citations , January 2019 in “Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery”

JAK inhibitors show promise for treating hair loss in alopecia areata but need more clinical trials to confirm safety and effectiveness.

research JAK Inhibitors and Alopecia Areata

56 citations , January 2019 in “Lancet”

JAK inhibitors help regrow hair in alopecia areata patients, improving their quality of life.

research Treatment of Alopecia Universalis with Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitors – A Double Blind, Placebo, and Active Controlled Pilot Study

49 citations , August 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Topical JAK inhibitors may help treat alopecia universalis by promoting hair regrowth.

research Topical 2% Tofacitinib for Children with Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, and Alopecia Universalis

49 citations , June 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Applying 2% tofacitinib cream helped some children with severe hair loss grow back hair.

research Tofacitinib 2% Ointment, a Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitor, for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Pilot Study of 10 Patients

48 citations , February 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib 2% ointment helped hair regrow in 3 out of 10 patients with alopecia areata, but caused side effects like scalp irritation and raised cholesterol in some.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations , January 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, influenced by genetics, stress, and diet, and may be prevented by a high soy oil diet.

research Efficacy of Topical Diphenylcyclopropenone Maintenance Treatment for Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Study

8 citations , January 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Diphenylcyclopropenone treatment helps prevent hair loss relapse in alopecia areata patients.

$Oral Tofacitinib Monotherapy in Korean Patients with Refractory Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata: A Case Series$

research Oral Tofacitinib Monotherapy in Korean Patients with Refractory Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata: A Case Series

44 citations , November 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib is effective and safe for treating severe hair loss in Korean patients.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata With Tofacitinib

78 citations , June 2017 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Tofacitinib helped regrow hair in people with severe alopecia, but side effects occurred and benefits stopped after treatment ended.

research Alopecia Areata: What’s New in Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Options?

56 citations , April 2017 in “Journal of dermatological science”

New insights into the causes and treatments for the autoimmune hair loss condition Alopecia areata have been made.

research Experience with Oral Tofacitinib in 8 Adolescent Patients with Alopecia Universalis

49 citations , April 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib caused significant hair regrowth in adolescents with alopecia universalis who didn't respond to other treatments.

research Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata and Variants: A Study of 90 Patients

238 citations , January 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib is effective and safe for severe hair loss, but full regrowth is less likely after 10 years of hair loss.

research Oral Ruxolitinib Induces Hair Regrowth in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

196 citations , September 2016 in “JCI insight”

Ruxolitinib effectively regrows hair in most patients with severe hair loss.

research Topical Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Universalis

96 citations , April 2016 in “JAMA dermatology”

research Epidemiology and Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

144 citations , July 2015 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease affecting about 2% of people, causing significant disability and often associated with mental health issues and other autoimmune conditions.

research Comparison of High-Dose Corticosteroid Pulse Therapy and Combination Therapy Using Oral Cyclosporine with Low-Dose Corticosteroid in Severe Alopecia Areata

14 citations , January 2015 in “Annals of dermatology/Annals of Dermatology”

Corticosteroid pulse therapy is more effective for severe alopecia areata than combination therapy.

research Effectiveness of 308-nm Excimer Laser Therapy in Treating Alopecia Areata by Examining Treated Sides of Selected Alopecic Patches

30 citations , January 2015 in “Dermatology”

308-nm excimer laser therapy helps regrow hair in alopecia areata.

research Investigation of Oxidative Stress in Patients with Alopecia Areata and Its Relationship with Disease Severity, Duration, Recurrence, and Pattern

35 citations , December 2014 in “Clinical and experimental dermatology”

Oxidative stress may play a role in causing alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.

research How Effective Is Intralesional Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide Compared with Topical Treatments in Inducing and Maintaining Hair Growth in Patients with Alopecia Areata? A Critically Appraised Topic

25 citations , April 2014 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide can regrow hair in alopecia areata but often has temporary effects and side effects.

research Clobetasol Propionate, 0.05%, vs Hydrocortisone, 1%, for Alopecia Areata in Children

49 citations , January 2014 in “JAMA dermatology”

Clobetasol propionate, 0.05%, is more effective and safe for treating childhood alopecia areata than hydrocortisone, 1%.

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Half-Head Study to Evaluate the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Alopecia Areata

205 citations , August 2013 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Platelet-rich plasma treatment significantly increased hair regrowth and decreased discomfort in alopecia patients, making it a potentially better and safer treatment option.

research Hair and Scalp Dermatoscopy

245 citations , November 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dermatoscopy is useful for identifying different hair and scalp conditions and can reduce the need for biopsies.

research British Association of Dermatologists’ Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata 2012

218 citations , May 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Guidelines suggest various treatments for alopecia areata, but leaving it untreated is also an option as 80% cases may recover on their own.

research Alopecia Areata: A New Treatment Plan

67 citations , July 2011 in “Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology”

The document suggests a personalized treatment plan for alopecia areata based on the patient's age and hair loss severity, using a range of therapies ranked by effectiveness and safety.

research The Genetics of Alopecia Areata: What's New and How Will It Help Our Patients?

43 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic therapy”

New genetic discoveries in alopecia areata could lead to better treatments.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

16 citations , May 2011 in “Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease causing hair loss in patches, often starting before age 20, and while some cases recover on their own, treatments include topical corticosteroids, minoxidil, and promising new methods like IL-31 antibodies and 308-nm Excimer laser therapy.

research Randomized Comparison of Topical Betamethasone Valerate Foam, Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide, and Tacrolimus Ointment in Management of Localized Alopecia Areata

48 citations , January 2011 in “International journal of trichology”

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is the most effective treatment for localized alopecia areata.

research Latanoprost in the Treatment of Eyelash Alopecia in Alopecia Areata Universalis

50 citations , April 2010 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Latanoprost can effectively treat eyelash hair loss, with 45% of patients showing hair regrowth and no reported side effects.

research Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Alopecia Areata

15 citations , February 2010 in “American journal of clinical dermatology”

The effectiveness of alternative treatments for alopecia areata is uncertain and needs more research.

research Alopecia Areata Update

391 citations , February 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.

research Alopecia Areata Update

244 citations , February 2010 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

The document says current treatments for alopecia areata do not cure or prevent it, and it's hard to judge their effectiveness due to spontaneous remission and lack of studies.

research Immunization and Bacterial Pathogens in the Oropharynx as Risk Factors for Alopecia Areata

3 citations , January 2010 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas”

Immunization and throat bacteria may increase the risk of a hair loss condition called alopecia areata.

research 308-nm Excimer Laser for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Children

79 citations , September 2009 in “Pediatric dermatology”

The 308-nm Excimer laser is effective and safe for treating patchy alopecia areata in children.

research Lack of Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost and Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solutions in Promoting Eyelash Growth in Patients with Alopecia Areata

55 citations , April 2009 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical latanoprost and bimatoprost eye solutions don't help eyelash growth in people with alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: Evidence-Based Treatments

71 citations , March 2009 in “Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery”

Alopecia areata can cause unpredictable hair loss, and treatments like corticosteroids and minoxidil may help but have varying side effects.

research Clinical Significance of Dermoscopy in Alopecia Areata: Analysis of 300 Cases

196 citations , June 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Dermoscopy helps diagnose and manage alopecia areata by showing specific hair changes.

research Unusual Loss of Body Hair in Childhood: Trichotillomania or Alopecia

2 citations , April 2008 in “Advances in therapy”

Proper diagnosis and treatment of childhood hair loss require distinguishing between alopecia and trichotillomania.

research Changes in Distribution Pattern of CD8 Lymphocytes in the Scalp in Alopecia Areata During Treatment With Diphenylcyclopropenone

27 citations , May 2007 in “Archives of dermatological research”

Diphencyprone treatment increases CD8 lymphocytes in the scalp, which is associated with hair regrowth in alopecia areata patients.

research Topical Use of Minoxidil in Children and Systemic Side Effects

58 citations , January 2007 in “Dermatology”

Minoxidil use in children may cause heart issues.

research Familial Aggregation of Alopecia Areata

295 citations , April 2006 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata, a common autoimmune hair loss condition, often runs in families.

research Clinical Approach to the Patient With Alopecia

21 citations , March 2006 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Most hair loss disorders can be accurately diagnosed and treated in an outpatient setting.

research Isolated Eyebrow And Eyelash Trichotillomania Mimicking Alopecia Areata

27 citations , February 2006 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Some children and young adults with eyebrow and eyelash hair loss actually have a hair-pulling disorder, often with related psychological issues.

research Alopecia Areata: A Tissue-Specific Autoimmune Disease of the Hair Follicle

185 citations , January 2006 in “Autoimmunity Reviews”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss due to the immune system attacking hair follicles, often influenced by genetics and stress.

research Lack of Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost in the Treatment of Eyebrow Alopecia Areata

36 citations , December 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical latanoprost doesn't effectively regrow hair in severe eyebrow alopecia areata cases.

research A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil Solutions in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

219 citations , April 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% and 2% minoxidil solutions effectively promote hair growth and reduce hair loss, with 5% being slightly more effective but having more side effects.

research An Open, Randomized, Comparative Study of Oral Finasteride and 5% Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

71 citations , January 2004 in “Dermatology”

Oral finasteride works better than topical minoxidil for hair growth, both are safe.

research Restoration of Hair Growth in Mice with an Alopecia Areata-Like Disease Using Topical Anthralin

29 citations , January 2004 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Topical anthralin helped regrow hair in mice with a condition similar to human alopecia.

research Restoration of Hair Growth with Topical Diphenylcyclopropenone in Mouse and Rat Models of Alopecia Areata

12 citations , December 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical diphencyprone helped regrow hair in mice and rats with a condition similar to human hair loss.

research Old Wine in New Bottles: Reviving Old Therapies for Alopecia Areata Using Rodent Models

17 citations , October 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Old treatments for other skin conditions showed promise for hair regrowth in mice with a hair loss condition.

research Topical Mechlorethamine Restores Autoimmune-Arrested Follicular Activity in Mice with an Alopecia Areata-Like Disease by Targeting Infiltrated Lymphocytes

19 citations , March 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Mechlorethamine treatment regrew hair in mice by killing immune cells causing hair loss without harming hair follicles.

research Alopecia Areata: Diagnosis and Management

48 citations , May 1999 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is an unpredictable autoimmune hair loss condition, treated based on severity, with half of patients regrowing hair within a year without treatment.

research PUVA Treatment of Alopecia Areata Partialis, Totalis, and Universalis: Audit of 10 Years' Experience at St John's Institute of Dermatology

105 citations , December 1995 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

PUVA treatment is generally ineffective for alopecia areata.

research Hair Loss in Children: Causes, Impact, and Management

6 citations , October 1993 in “The journal of the Royal Society of Health”

Children's hair loss has many causes and requires careful diagnosis and personalized treatment, including emotional support.

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101 citations , November 1992 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Steroids help hair regrowth, and minoxidil slows post-steroid hair loss, but effects are temporary.

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46 citations , June 1990 in “Archives of dermatology”

Combining 5% minoxidil and 0.5% anthralin can help regrow hair in some severe alopecia areata patients.

research Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of Topical Minoxidil in Extensive Alopecia Areata

104 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth in 63.6% of alopecia patients, with 27.3% having excellent results.

research Topical Minoxidil Solution (1% and 5%) in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

101 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil solution helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata, with 5% being more effective.

research Topical Photochemotherapy for Alopecia Areata

63 citations , April 1985 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical PUVA can cause temporary hair regrowth in some alopecia areata patients but doesn't change the long-term outcome.

research Alopecia Areata: Pathogenesis And Treatment

122 citations , November 1984 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

No single treatment is consistently effective for alopecia areata, and more research is needed.

research Alopecia Totalis: Significant Hair Regrowth with Fluocinolone Acetonide Cream

22 citations , March 1963 in “Archives of dermatology”

A woman regrew her hair significantly using a corticosteroid cream with a plastic cover.

4 / 4 results

research Individualized Homeopathic Approach in Alopecia Areata: An Evidence-Based Case Report

January 2023 in “International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences”

Homoeopathic treatment may help restore hair in Alopecia Areata by balancing the immune system.

research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

148 citations , March 2019 in “Journal of autoimmunity”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.

research Treating Resistant Cases of Alopecia Universalis

May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology”

Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.

research Management of Autoimmune-Associated Alopecia Areata

3 citations , May 2010 in “Nursing Standard”

Treatments for autoimmune hair loss have limited success and often relapse, and emotional support is crucial for those affected.