A Phase 2a Trial of Brepocitinib for Cicatricial Alopecia

The phase 2a trial of brepocitinib, a TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, for cicatricial alopecia (CA) involved 50 adults with lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, or central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. Participants were randomized to receive brepocitinib or placebo for 24 weeks, followed by brepocitinib for another 24 weeks. The study found that brepocitinib significantly reduced inflammatory biomarker CCL5 expression and improved clinical severity scores by week 24, with continued improvement through week 48. The treatment was well tolerated, with mostly mild to moderate adverse events. The study concluded that brepocitinib effectively reduces inflammation and improves clinical outcomes in CA patients, suggesting the need for larger trials to confirm these findings.