Immune Cell-Targeting Biologics for Alopecia Areata: A New Paradigm in Precision Medicine

November 2025 in “ Skin Appendage Disorders ”

Simonetta I. Gaumond, Madisyn Opstal, Isabella Kamholtz, Joaquín J. Jiménez

alopecia areata immune cell-targeting biologics rituximab abatacept alefacept efalizumab nivolumab aldesleukin B cells T cells

Studysummary This study reviewed evidence on biologic drugs targeting immune cells for alopecia areata, finding mixed results: some achieved case-level hair regrowth, but controlled trials often showed limited efficacy.

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research Alopecia Areata: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, And Therapies

21 citations , April 2025 in “MedComm”

This review explores the complex factors involved in alopecia areata, such as immune and genetic influences, and discusses advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, while reporting no new clinical results.

research Cytokine-Targeting Biologic Therapies for Alopecia Areata: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanism of Action, Clinical Efficacy, and Adverse Events

2 citations , April 2025 in “Biologics”

This study reviewed clinical trials and reports on cytokine-targeting biologics for alopecia areata, finding Dupilumab and Ustekinumab showed strong efficacy, while other biologics had limited success or worsened the condition. Further research is needed to optimize biologic therapies for AA.

research The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Used as the Benchmark in Validation of 101 Quality-of-Life Instruments: A Systematic Review

18 citations , September 2024 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This review found that the DLQI is widely used as a benchmark in the development and validation of dermatology quality-of-life measures.

research Inhibition of T-Cell Activity in Alopecia Areata: Recent Developments and New Directions

4 citations , November 2023 in “Frontiers in immunology”

In this narrative review, researchers outlined the role of T cells in the autoimmune pathogenesis of alopecia areata and highlighted ongoing research into therapeutic pathways, beyond current JAK inhibitors, aimed at developing new treatments for the disease.

research Resolution of Paraneoplastic Alopecia Areata Following Nivolumab in a Patient With Metastatic Melanoma

1 citations , June 2023 in “JAAD case reports”

This study reviews potential immune targets within hair follicles in alopecia areata, suggesting they may be associated with keratinocytes or melanocytes, and notes possible induction triggers like viruses and infections.

research Efficacy and Safety of Ritlecitinib in Adults and Adolescents With Alopecia Areata: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Phase 2b–3 Trial

227 citations , April 2023 in “The Lancet”

Ritlecitinib effectively treats alopecia areata and is well-tolerated.

research The Expanding Impact of T-Regulatory Cells in Skin Health

2 citations , September 2022 in “Frontiers in Immunology”

This article reviews the emerging non-inflammatory roles of regulatory T cells in the skin and reports no new clinical findings, suggesting broad biological influence beyond traditional immune functions.

The Relationship Between Patient-Reported Severity of Hair Loss and Health-Related Quality of Life and Treatment Patterns Among Patients with Alopecia Areata

research The Relationship Between Patient-Reported Severity of Hair Loss and Health-Related Quality of Life and Treatment Patterns Among Patients with Alopecia Areata

4 citations , March 2022 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

This study found that alopecia areata severity significantly influences the health-related quality of life impacts and treatment patterns among affected individuals.

research Nivolumab-Induced Alopecia Areata: A Case Report and Literature Review

10 citations , January 2021 in “Annals of dermatology/Annals of Dermatology”

This case report describes a rare instance of alopecia areata linked to nivolumab treatment in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma.

research Low-Dose IL-2 for Treating Moderate to Severe Alopecia Areata: A 52-Week Multicenter Prospective Placebo-Controlled Study Assessing Its Impact on T Regulatory Cell and NK Cell Populations

22 citations , September 2020 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This review highlights the possible role of T regulatory cells in the immune-related mechanisms of alopecia areata but reports no new clinical findings.

research Successful Treatment of Alopecia Universalis with Rituximab Therapy

April 2020 in “Rheumatology”

This case report describes successful and sustained treatment of alopecia universalis with rituximab in a patient also diagnosed with dermatomyositis, suggesting a potential role for B cells in its pathogenesis.

research The Alopecia Areata Investigator Global Assessment Scale: A Measure for Evaluating Clinically Meaningful Success in Clinical Trials

86 citations , January 2020 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study developed the Alopecia Areata Investigator Global Assessment (AA-IGA) to measure scalp-hair loss in alopecia areata patients, incorporating perspectives of both patients and clinicians to define treatment success.

research Immune-Related Alopecia (Areata and Universalis) in Cancer Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

87 citations , December 2016 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

This study describes and characterizes four cases of alopecia areata induced by immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in cancer patients, highlighting the importance of recognizing and managing these hair-related adverse events.

research Alefacept for Severe Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

43 citations , November 2009 in “Archives of dermatology”

This study found that alefacept showed no significant improvement in treating severe alopecia areata compared to placebo over a 24-week period.

research Alefacept for Alopecia Areata

33 citations , December 2005 in “Archives of dermatology”

This study presents case reports of four patients with alopecia areata or alopecia universalis, highlighting varied responses to treatments like prednisone, intralesional triamcinolone, and squaric acid dibutyl ester.