New Treatment Strategies in Management of Alopecia Areata: A Review Article

January 2023 in “ The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine ”

Mohamed Metwalli Abdelnabi, Mohamed Nasr, Ahd Ismail Mousa Mohamed, Lamiaa Mahmoud Kamel

alopecia areata intralesional corticosteroids topical corticosteroids janus kinases JAKs signal transducers and activators of transcription STATs cytokine receptor Tofacitinib 308-nm excimer laser JAK inhibitors excimer laser

TLDR New treatments for sudden hair loss include oral medications and a special laser, both showing promise in hair regrowth.

Alopecia areata, a common condition causing abrupt, circular patches of complete hair loss, is typically treated with intralesional or topical corticosteroids, but evidence for their efficacy is limited. This review article examined new treatment strategies for alopecia areata, focusing on the role of janus kinases (JAKs) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). When a ligand attaches to their specific cytokine receptor, JAKs can phosphorylate STATs, facilitating hair regrowth. Oral formulations, such as Tofacitinib in 5-mg and 11-mg doses taken once or twice a day, are easy to ingest and promote hair regrowth. Additionally, the 308-nm excimer laser has proven effective in restoring hair growth in affected areas, offering another potential treatment option for scalp alopecia areata.