Efficacy and Safety of Different JAK Inhibitors in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Network Meta-Analysis

April 2023 in “ Frontiers in immunology ”

Dongfan Wei, Yi Chen, Yuqing Shen, Bo Xie, Xiuzu Song

JAK inhibitors alopecia areata baricitinib ruxolitinib tofacitinib steroid treatments

TLDR Oral baricitinib and ruxolitinib are effective and safe for treating alopecia areata.

This network meta-analysis, which included 1689 patients from five randomized controlled trials and four other studies, compared the efficacy and safety of different JAK inhibitors in treating alopecia areata (AA). The results showed that oral baricitinib and ruxolitinib significantly improved patient response rates and had better safety profiles compared to placebo and conventional steroid treatments. Oral baricitinib, tofacitinib, and ruxolitinib also significantly improved complete response rates. Non-oral JAK inhibitors were less effective. The study concludes that oral baricitinib and ruxolitinib are excellent options for AA treatment, but further research is needed to determine the optimal dosing.

View this study on frontiersin.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

19 / 19 results

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”

Oral JAK inhibitors are effective and safe for treating alopecia areata but may need ongoing use to keep results.

Oral Tofacitinib and Systemic Corticosteroids, Alone or in Combination, in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Study

research Oral Tofacitinib and Systemic Corticosteroids, Alone or in Combination, in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Study

8 citations, June 2022 in “Frontiers in Medicine”

Both individual and combined treatments of tofacitinib and corticosteroids can help regrow hair in moderate-to-severe alopecia areata, but ongoing treatment may be necessary.

research Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

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

Baricitinib was effective in treating alopecia areata in two major trials.

research Ritlecitinib And Brepocitinib Demonstrate Significant Improvement In Scalp Alopecia Areata Biomarkers

36 citations, December 2021 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology”

Two drugs, ritlecitinib and brepocitinib, improved scalp hair loss condition markers.

research The JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway: From Bench to Clinic

489 citations, November 2021 in “Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy”

The JAK/STAT pathway is important in cell processes and disease, and JAK inhibitors are promising for treating related conditions.

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”

Baricitinib is effective and safe for treating severe alopecia areata.

research Sublingual Tofacitinib for Alopecia Areata: A Roll-Over Pilot Clinical Trial and Analysis of Pharmacokinetics

9 citations, May 2021 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

The trial showed that a new under-the-tongue treatment for severe hair loss was somewhat effective in a small group of people.

research A Phase 2a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitors Ritlecitinib and Brepocitinib in Alopecia Areata: 24-Week Results

138 citations, March 2021 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Ritlecitinib and brepocitinib effectively regrow hair in alopecia areata patients.

research Janus Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata: An Open-Label Comparative Study

66 citations, December 2018 in “Dermatology”

Both ruxolitinib and tofacitinib are effective and safe for treating severe alopecia areata, but relapses are common.

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.

$Comparison of the Treatment Outcome of Oral Tofacitinib with Other Conventional Therapies in Refractory Alopecia Totalis and Universalis: A Retrospective Study$

research Comparison of the Treatment Outcome of Oral Tofacitinib with Other Conventional Therapies in Refractory Alopecia Totalis and Universalis: A Retrospective Study

11 citations, January 2018 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

Tofacitinib works better and is more tolerable for severe alopecia than conventional treatments and DPCP immunotherapy.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations, December 2017 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 Tofacitinib in Promoting Hair Growth in Non-Scarring Alopecia: Possible Mechanism via VEGF Induction

27 citations, September 2017 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Topical tofacitinib may grow hair better than minoxidil by increasing VEGF and reducing inflammation.

research The Diagnosis and Treatment of Hair and Scalp Diseases

37 citations, May 2016 in “Deutsches Arzteblatt International”

Hair loss requires customized treatments based on its various causes and types.

research Pharmacologic Inhibition of JAK-STAT Signaling Promotes Hair Growth

159 citations, October 2015 in “Science Advances”

Blocking JAK-STAT signaling can lead to hair growth.

research The Role of Lymphocytes in the Development and Treatment of Alopecia Areata

60 citations, September 2015 in “Expert Review of Clinical Immunology”

Lymphocytes, especially CD8+ T cells, play a key role in causing alopecia areata, and targeting them may lead to new treatments.

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 Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations, April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations, June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 51 results

community What else is good. Besides the big 3.

in Chat 34 upvotes 4 months ago

Key treatments for hair preservation include minoxidil, finasteride/dutasteride, and microneedling, with additional options like specific shampoos, oils, biotin, zinc, tretinoin, clascoterone, and low-level laser therapy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reducing stress, and addressing nutrient deficiencies can also support hair health.

community I am a dermatologist with a clinical interest in alopecia. AMA

in Will treatment work for me? 2 years ago

In this conversation, 4990 discussed various treatments for hair loss, including oral minoxidil, PRP, transplan, Jak inhibitors, Dutasteride, Finasteride, Olumiant, Ketoconazole, RU58841, microneedling, baricitinib, and CCCA. They recommended scalp biopsies in unclear cases of DUPA, twice weekly to twice daily shampooing for topical minoxidil users, and two sessions spaced one month apart with follow up at month three to determine the effectiveness of PRP treatment.

Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

community Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

in Research 863 upvotes 4 months ago

The treatment for androgenetic alopecia involves using finasteride and minoxidil with intense exercise and cold exposure to boost metabolism and reduce androgenic effects, potentially leading to hair regrowth. This approach may activate biological pathways for improved hair and overall health.

community Should I get transplant #4 or just shave my head?

in Transplants 173 upvotes 6 months ago

A 36-year-old considering a fourth hair transplant is advised to either shave his head or use a hair system due to poor results from previous transplants and late medication use. He plans to consult top surgeons and adjust his current treatments, including finasteride and minoxidil.

community Olumiant alternative for Alopecia Areata?

in Treatment 1 upvotes 1 year ago

A user with alopecia areata is considering treatment options like injections or Olumiant but is concerned about cost and whether delaying treatment will lead to permanent hair loss. They are seeking alternative treatments that are more affordable for a college student.

community any news about DUPA (Diffuse unpatterned alopecia)?

in Research/Science 11 upvotes 2 years ago

The conversation discusses diffuse unpatterned alopecia (DUPA) and its possible causes, including sensitivity to DHT, not being androgenic alopecia, being diffuse alopecia areata, or hormonal issues. Treatments mentioned include topical melatonin, Clobetasol Propionate for alopecia areata, and the lack of results from using finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil.

Related Research

4 / 4 results

research Resistant Alopecia Areata Treated with Tofacitinib

1 citations, September 2022 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Tofacitinib can be effective in treating hair loss caused by alopecia areata.

Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata