Halo Nevi, Vitiligo, and Diffuse Alopecia Areata Associated with Tocilizumab Therapy

August 2016 in “ Oxford Medical Case Reports ”

Kavitha Nadesalingam, Mark Goodfield, Paul Emery

halo naevi vitiligo diffuse alopecia areata tocilizumab IL-6 sIL-6R melanocytes melanoma melanocytic cytotoxicity

TLDR Tocilizumab therapy may cause skin and hair conditions like halo naevi, vitiligo, and alopecia areata.

A 33-year-old woman with juvenile onset arthritis developed halo naevi, vitiligo, and diffuse alopecia areata while on tocilizumab therapy, following an MRSA infection. This case was the first to describe these events, supporting theories on cellular and humoral immunity as causative factors. The regression of melanocytes during tocilizumab treatment suggested that IL-6 and sIL-6R could be future targets for melanoma treatment due to their direct effect on melanocytic cytotoxicity, aligning with previous studies.

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research Photochemotherapy and Alopecia Areata

10 citations, May 1983 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Some people with severe hair loss saw hair regrowth after a specific light and drug treatment.