Selective Blockade of Gamma C Pathway Ameliorates Alopecia Areata in a Humanized Murine Model

June 2026 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Wai Chung Wu, Muthu Iswarya Gandhi Sethuraman, Tak Keung Tong, Hoi Lam Ng, Wai Yin Dennis Au, Lik Hang Lam, Weimin Li, Shaik Abdullah Nawabjan, Billy Kwok Chong Chow, Anlong Xu, Shui On Leung, Chin Wai Hui

alopecia areata anti-γc antibody hC2 Jak/STAT signaling hair follicle homeostasis autoreactive T-cell Jak3 inhibitor ritlecitinib AA

Studysummary This study reported that the anti-γc antibody hC2 restored hair follicle homeostasis and suppressed hair loss in an AA-like mouse model by inhibiting autoreactive T-cell activity, suggesting that hC2 may offer a safer and more effective treatment for alopecia areata compared to current Jak inhibitors.

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research Possible Involvement of Skin-Resident Memory T Cells in Refractory Chronic Alopecia Areata

January 2026 in “Experimental Dermatology”

The study suggests that refractory chronic alopecia areata cases have more infiltrating skin resident memory T cells, and using a JAK inhibitor may be an effective treatment option.

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

August 2025 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

This review reports that three JAK inhibitors—baricitinib, ritlecitinib, and deuruxolitinib—have gained FDA approval for treating alopecia areata due to their demonstrated efficacy in fostering hair regrowth in clinical trials.

research Single-Cell Analysis of Temporal Immune Cell Dynamics in Alopecia Areata Reveals a Causal Role for Clonally Expanded CD8+ T Cells in Disease

4 citations , June 2025 in “Cell Reports”

In this study using the C3H/HeJ mouse model of alopecia areata, researchers found that hyperexpanded CD8⁺ T cell clones were sufficient to initiate disease, establishing a causal link between T cell clonality and pathogenicity.

research Safety of Baricitinib in Adults with Severe Alopecia Areata from Two Phase III Trials Over a Median of 2.3 Years and Up to 4 Years of Treatment

3 citations , April 2025 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

Baricitinib is generally safe for long-term use in treating severe alopecia areata.

research Efficacy And Safety Of Ritlecitinib In Asian Patients With Alopecia Areata: A Subgroup Analysis Of The ALLEGRO Phase 2b/3 Trial

4 citations , March 2025 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that in Asian patients aged 12 and older with alopecia areata and significant hair loss, ritlecitinib showed clinical efficacy in improving hair regrowth and eyebrow and eyelash scores over 48 weeks, with an acceptable safety profile observed throughout.

research Patterns of Clinical Response in Patients With Alopecia Areata Treated With Ritlecitinib in the Allegro Clinical Development Programme

13 citations , February 2025 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Ritlecitinib shows promise for treating alopecia areata, especially with early and extended treatment.

research Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Ritlecitinib in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia Areata and at Least 25% Scalp Hair Loss: Results from the ALLEGRO-LT Phase 3, Open-Label Study

15 citations , January 2025 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Ritlecitinib is effective and safe for treating alopecia areata, promoting significant hair regrowth.

research Using Patient Preference to Inform Ritlecitinib Dose Selection for Alopecia Areata Treatment

January 2025 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that patients with severe alopecia areata are willing to accept increased risks of serious infection, cancer, and blood clots when opting for a higher dose of ritlecitinib, valuing the potential for greater hair regrowth efficacy compared to a lower dose.

research Dupilumab Induces Hair Regrowth in Pediatric Alopecia Areata: A Real-World, Single-Center Observational Study

20 citations , July 2024 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

This study observed that dupilumab led to significant hair regrowth and was well-tolerated in children with both alopecia areata and atopic dermatitis, showing promise as a safe treatment option for pediatric patients with associated atopy.

research The Invisible Impact Of A Visible Disease: Psychosocial Impact Of Alopecia Areata

40 citations , June 2023 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

This study found that the emotional impact of alopecia areata is significant, but it may not correlate directly with the extent of hair loss since some individuals adapt to the condition.

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 Alopecia Areata: A Review of the Genetic Variants and Immunodeficiency Disorders Associated with Alopecia Areata

10 citations , January 2023 in “Skin Appendage Disorders”

This review discusses the histological features and diagnostic challenges of alopecia areata and emphasizes the need for genetic research to develop future therapeutics; it reports no new clinical findings.

research The Role of Serum Th1, Th2, and Th17 Cytokines in Patients with Alopecia Areata: Clinical Implications

37 citations , December 2021 in “Cells”

This study found that dysregulation of systemic Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines is associated with alopecia areata, with specific cytokines linked to disease activity and treatment response.

research Alopecia Areata: An Update on Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management

290 citations , August 2021 in “Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology”

JAK inhibitors show promise for treating alopecia areata, but more research is needed.

research Resident Memory T Cells in Autoimmune Skin Diseases

50 citations , May 2021 in “Frontiers in immunology”

This review discusses how tissue resident memory T cells contribute to autoimmune skin diseases like vitiligo and psoriasis, highlighting their role in continuous immune activation, and reports no new clinical results.

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”

This study found that treatment with ritlecitinib or brepocitinib was effective in improving scalp hair loss for patients with alopecia areata over 24 weeks compared to placebo.

research Immunology of Alopecia Areata

23 citations , November 2020 in “Central-European Journal of Immunology/Central European Journal of Immunology”

This review explores the autoimmune hypothesis of alopecia areata and the possible genetic and melanogenesis-associated autoantigens, but reports no new clinical findings.

research Pro-Inflammatory Vδ1+ T-Cells Infiltrates Are Present In And Around The Hair Bulbs Of Non-Lesional And Lesional Alopecia Areata Hair Follicles

23 citations , September 2020 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This pilot study suggests that skin-resident γδT-cells may play a significant role in the early stages of alopecia areata pathogenesis, indicating a potential new target for therapeutic management.

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege and Its Collapse in Alopecia Areata

134 citations , July 2020 in “Experimental dermatology”

This review discusses immune privilege in anagen hair follicles and its collapse in alopecia areata, emphasizing the importance of restoring this function for effective management and disease relapse prevention.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Shows Robust T Helper 1 and Janus Kinase 3 Skewing

34 citations , June 2020 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

In this study, researchers observed that follicular damage and stem cell loss in frontal fibrosing alopecia may be mediated by immune attacks at the bulge region, suggesting potential for JAK/STAT-targeting treatments to prevent progression.

research Targeting the Janus Kinase Family in Autoimmune Skin Diseases

124 citations , October 2019 in “Frontiers in Immunology”

This review discusses the role of the JAK-STAT pathway in autoimmune skin diseases and suggests potential therapeutic benefits of JAK inhibitors, but reports no new experimental results.

research High-Throughput T Cell Receptor Sequencing Identifies Clonally Expanded CD8+ T Cell Populations in Alopecia Areata

46 citations , October 2018 in “JCI insight”

In this study, the researchers found that treatment with the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib in alopecia areata patients may reduce clonal CD8+ T cell expansions but does not eliminate them entirely, which could contribute to disease relapse.