New Treatment Options For Alopecia Areata

April 2023 in “ Hautnah ”

Johannes Griss

alopecia areata autoimmune disorder JAK inhibitor Baricitinib AA autoimmune hair loss JAKi

From the encyclopedia

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

JAK inhibitor that reduces inflammation and immune attacks on hair follicles, leading to potential hair regrowth, especially in alopecia areata cases

Studysummary This overview discusses the condition and treatments for alopecia areata, highlighting that the JAK inhibitor baricitinib, recently approved for severe cases, shows unprecedented effectiveness but raises cost and risk debates regarding treatment of this primarily cosmetic autoimmune disorder. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

Alopecia areata, affecting 2% of the population, is a common autoimmune disorder that significantly impacts quality of life, often leading to depression and unemployment. This review discusses the primary manifestations and pathogenesis of alopecia areata, with a focus on current treatment options and their effectiveness. Notably, the JAK inhibitor Baricitinib, recently approved for advanced alopecia areata, demonstrates unprecedented efficacy but has sparked debate over the costs and risks associated with treating what is considered a cosmetic condition.

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Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

research Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

148 citations , March 2022 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In two phase 3 trials, this study found that oral baricitinib significantly improved hair regrowth compared to placebo in adults with severe alopecia areata after 36 weeks, though longer trials are needed to ascertain its long-term efficacy and safety.

research The Associated Burden of Mental Health Conditions in Alopecia Areata: A Population-Based Study in UK Primary Care

20 citations , February 2022 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that people with alopecia areata have higher rates of depression and anxiety, leading to increased mental health treatment burden, more time off work, and higher unemployment compared to the general population.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review on Diagnosis, Immunological Etiopathogenesis, and Treatment Options

56 citations , January 2021 in “Clinical and Experimental Medicine”

This review highlights the challenges in treating alopecia areata, noting that current therapies often lead to relapse and have uncertain long-term effectiveness; it also points to potential future treatments such as JAK-STAT inhibitors and PRP.

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 Efficacy of Different Concentrations of Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide for Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

19 citations , December 2019 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study suggests that intralesional triamcinolone acetonide at a concentration of 5 mg/mL may offer the best balance of effectiveness and safety for treating focal alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: Treatment Options and Efficacy

182 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews current and emerging treatments for alopecia areata, including Janus kinase inhibitors, highlighting variability in clinical outcomes and the lack of sustained remission.

research A Systematic Review of Pulse Steroid Therapy for Alopecia Areata

50 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This systematic review of pulse corticosteroid therapy for alopecia areata found relatively low complete response rates, but responders experienced low relapse rates, indicating potential benefits for patients with favorable prognostic factors.

research Alopecia Areata Profiling Shows TH1, TH2, and IL-23 Cytokine Activation Without Parallel TH17/TH22 Skewing

176 citations , August 2015 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology”

This study identified a distinct cytokine activation signature in alopecia areata, involving TH2, TH1, IL-23, and IL-9/TH9 pathways, suggesting potential targeting strategies similar to those in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

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.

Randomized Comparison of Topical Betamethasone Valerate Foam, Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide, and Tacrolimus Ointment in Management of Localized Alopecia Areata

research Randomized Comparison of Topical Betamethasone Valerate Foam, Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide, and Tacrolimus Ointment in Management of Localized Alopecia Areata

48 citations , January 2011 in “International journal of trichology”

This study found that intralesional triamcinolone acetonide was most effective for hair regrowth in localized alopecia areata, with betamethasone valerate foam also being beneficial, while tacrolimus ointment showed no significant effect.