Maintenance, Withdrawal, and Re-Treatment with Ritlecitinib and Brepocitinib in Patients with Alopecia Areata in a Single-Blind Extension of a Phase 2a Randomized Clinical Trial

In a phase 2a study, ritlecitinib and brepocitinib were found to be effective and well-tolerated in treating alopecia areata with ≥50% scalp hair loss over 24 weeks. Following a 4-week washout, patients were re-treated in a single-blind extension. The primary endpoint was safety, with infections and skin or nervous system disorders being the most common adverse events. Efficacy decreased after re-treatment compared to the initial response, suggesting continuous treatment may be necessary for maintaining hair regrowth. No new safety signals were observed during withdrawal or re-treatment.