TLDR Baricitinib successfully regrew hair in an 8-year-old boy with alopecia totalis linked to a KRT74 gene variant.
This case report describes the successful treatment of an 8-year-old boy with alopecia totalis, associated with a novel KRT74 gene variant, using the JAK inhibitor baricitinib. The patient experienced significant hair regrowth within 1 month of treatment, with continued improvement over 8 months. Genetic analysis identified a heterozygous KRT74 variant, also found in his mother and brother, who did not have alopecia. The study suggests that KRT74 variants may affect immune responses in the scalp, contributing to alopecia areata, and highlights the potential of baricitinib in treating genetically driven inflammatory conditions. It also proposes further research into KRT74 as a biomarker for alopecia areata susceptibility.
148 citations,
March 2022 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Baricitinib was effective in treating alopecia areata in two major trials.
134 citations,
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12 citations,
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65 citations,
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701 citations,
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421 citations,
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143 citations,
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Ritlecitinib helps reduce inflammation and promote hair regrowth in alopecia areata, especially in patchy-type cases.
36 citations,
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30 citations,
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2 citations,
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77 citations,
June 2017 in “Advances in Therapy” New treatments for Alopecia Areata, like JAK inhibitors, show promise for hair regrowth and are likely to change future treatment approaches.
