Translational Positioning of Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors in Alopecia Areata

April 2015 in “ EBioMedicine ”

Ulrike Blume‐Peytavi, Annika Vogt

Janus Kinase inhibitors JAK inhibitors ruxolitinib tofacitinib Alopecia Areata CD8+ cell infiltrates IFN-gamma gene expression follicular penetration topical treatments AA

From the encyclopedia

Tofacitinib →

a JAK inhibitor for alopecia areata and other autoimmune conditions

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Studysummary This research highlights that JAK inhibitors, such as baricitinib, may effectively reverse symptoms of alopecia areata by targeting specific immune pathways, though safety and efficacy require further investigation.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document discussed the potential of Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, such as ruxolitinib and tofacitinib, as treatments for Alopecia Areata (AA), an autoimmune disease causing hair loss. Clinical studies indicated that these inhibitors could reverse AA symptoms by reducing CD8+ cell infiltrates and normalizing IFN-gamma gene expression. However, the broad spectrum of side effects and patient heterogeneity required careful monitoring, especially in young patients. Future research was recommended to focus on enhancing follicular penetration and reducing systemic absorption for safer and more effective topical treatments.

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research Familial Aggregation of Alopecia Areata

295 citations , May 2016 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review examines the immunological aspects of alopecia areata, focusing on genetic, neuroimmunological, and immune privilege factors, but does not report new clinical findings.

research Reversal of Alopecia Areata Following Treatment With the JAK1/2 Inhibitor Baricitinib

184 citations , February 2015 in “EBioMedicine”

This study observed that baricitinib treatment led to significant improvement in a patient's alopecia areata symptoms and suggests further clinical trials to explore its potential as a treatment.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

This study found that JAK inhibitors promote hair regrowth in both mice and human alopecia areata cases by blocking key immune pathways involved in disease development.

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”

This case report describes complete hair regrowth in a patient with alopecia universalis and improved psoriasis after treatment with the oral Janus kinase inhibitor, tofacitinib.

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

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

This study identified key genetic regions associated with alopecia areata, highlighting both acquired and innate immune involvement, with a novel link to the upregulation of ULBP ligands in autoimmune disease.