Evaluating Current and Emerging JAK Inhibitors for Alopecia Areata: A Narrative Review

August 2025 in “ Dermatology and Therapy ”

Katherine Sanchez, Hanna Englander, Lana Salloum, Samantha Gregoire, Ursula Biba, Sherry Ershadi, Arash Mostaghimi

JAK inhibitors alopecia areata baricitinib ritlecitinib deuruxolitinib Janus kinase inhibitors

TLDR JAK inhibitors show promise for treating alopecia areata but have serious side effects.

The narrative review evaluates the use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for treating alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune condition causing hair loss. JAK inhibitors like baricitinib, ritlecitinib, and deuruxolitinib have shown promise in clinical trials, with baricitinib achieving significant hair regrowth in over 1,200 participants. Ritlecitinib, approved for patients aged 12 and older, demonstrated efficacy in a trial with 718 participants. Deuruxolitinib showed promise but raised safety concerns at higher doses. Despite their potential, JAK inhibitors carry risks of serious side effects, necessitating careful monitoring. The review underscores the need for more comprehensive studies to address variability in patient response, relapse after discontinuation, and long-term safety.

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Research cited in this study

24 / 24 results

research Baricitinib Withdrawal and Retreatment in Patients With Severe Alopecia Areata

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Baricitinib is effective and safe for long-term use in severe alopecia areata, improving hair regrowth and quality of life with few side effects.

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

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

Baricitinib improved severe hair loss in adults over 52 weeks and was safe to use.

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6 citations, February 2023 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Upadacitinib improved hair regrowth and quality of life in alopecia areata patients with minimal side effects.

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1 citations, January 2023 in “SAGE open medical case reports”

A new treatment called deucravacitinib helped a patient with severe hair loss grow their hair back quickly.

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40 citations, August 2022 in “Frontiers in immunology”

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20 citations, December 2021 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Continuous treatment with ritlecitinib and brepocitinib is needed to maintain hair regrowth in 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 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.

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research An Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Moderate to Severe Patch-Type Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

130 citations, February 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Tofacitinib may help treat severe hair loss, but more research is needed.

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

238 citations, November 2016 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 Alopecia Areata: What’s New in Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Options?

56 citations, October 2016 in “Journal of dermatological science”

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

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 Safety and Efficacy of the JAK Inhibitor Tofacitinib Citrate in Patients with Alopecia Areata

222 citations, September 2016 in “JCI insight”

Tofacitinib is safe and effective for severe alopecia areata, but hair loss may return 2 months after stopping treatment.

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 Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Oral Tofacitinib Reverses Alopecia Universalis in a Patient with Plaque Psoriasis

185 citations, June 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

A man with severe hair loss and skin disease regrew his hair with no side effects after taking tofacitinib.

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.

research Familial Aggregation of Alopecia Areata

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

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

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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 865 upvotes 9 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 What else is good. Besides the big 3.

in Chat 35 upvotes 10 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 Should I get transplant #4 or just shave my head?

in Transplants 171 upvotes 1 year 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 2 years 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 10 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.

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