Safety and Efficacy of Ritlecitinib for the Treatment of Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials

March 2025 in “ Journal of Clinical Medicine ”

Samah Omar Ali Alfahl, Abdullateef A. Alzolibani

Ritlecitinib alopecia areata SALT scores

TLDR Ritlecitinib effectively treats alopecia areata with manageable side effects.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the safety and efficacy of Ritlecitinib for treating alopecia areata (AA) by analyzing 13 randomized controlled trials. Results showed a significant reduction in SALT scores at weeks 12 and 24, indicating improved hair regrowth in patients treated with Ritlecitinib compared to placebo. Although Ritlecitinib was associated with a higher frequency of headaches, acne, and nasopharyngitis, the placebo group experienced more serious adverse events. Overall, Ritlecitinib appears to be an effective treatment for AA with an acceptable safety profile, but further research in larger and long-term studies is recommended.

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research A Phase 2a Study Investigating the Effects of Ritlecitinib on Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials and Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Histology in Adults with Alopecia Areata

4 citations , July 2024 in “Pharmacology Research & Perspectives”

Ritlecitinib is safe and may effectively treat alopecia areata.

Integrated Safety Analysis of Ritlecitinib, an Oral JAK3/TEC Family Kinase Inhibitor, for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata from the ALLEGRO Clinical Trial Program

research Integrated Safety Analysis of Ritlecitinib, an Oral JAK3/TEC Family Kinase Inhibitor, for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata from the ALLEGRO Clinical Trial Program

January 2024 in “American journal of clinical dermatology”

Ritlecitinib is safe and well-tolerated for treating alopecia areata in patients aged 12 and older.

research Hair Loss Profiles and Ritlecitinib Efficacy in Patients with Alopecia Areata: Post Hoc Analysis of the Allegro Phase 2b/3 Study

September 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy”

Ritlecitinib effectively improves hair growth in alopecia areata patients, regardless of hair loss pattern.

research Scalp, Eyebrow, and Eyelash Hair Regrowth with Continued Ritlecitinib Treatment Among Patients with Alopecia Areata Without Target Efficacy Response at Week 24: Post Hoc Analysis of the ALLEGRO Phase 2b/3 Study

1 citations , September 2023 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

research Sustained Scalp, Eyebrow, and Eyelash Hair Regrowth With Ritlecitinib Through Week 48 in Patients With Alopecia Areata: Post Hoc Analysis of the ALLEGRO Phase 2b/3 Study

1 citations , September 2023 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

research Efficacy and Safety of Ritlecitinib in Adults and Adolescents With Alopecia Areata: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Phase 2b–3 Trial

227 citations , April 2023 in “The Lancet”

Ritlecitinib effectively treats alopecia areata and is well-tolerated.

research Efficacy and Safety of Baricitinib in Patients with Severe Alopecia Areata Over 52 Weeks in Phase III Trials

20 citations , March 2023 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

Baricitinib improved severe hair loss in adults over 52 weeks and was safe to use.

research Epidemiological Trends in Alopecia Areata at the Global, Regional, and National Levels

11 citations , July 2022 in “Frontiers in immunology”

Cases of alopecia areata and its impact on life quality rose globally, but when adjusted for age, the rates decreased, especially in poorer regions.

research Evaluating the Therapeutic Potential of Ritlecitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

49 citations , February 2022 in “Drug Design Development and Therapy”

Ritlecitinib shows promise for hair regrowth in alopecia areata patients.

research Alopecia Areata: Current Understanding and Management

11 citations , January 2022 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft”

Alopecia areata is a chronic condition causing hair loss, with new treatments targeting the immune system showing promise.

research Ritlecitinib And Brepocitinib Demonstrate Significant Improvement In Scalp Alopecia Areata Biomarkers

36 citations , December 2021 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology”

Two drugs, ritlecitinib and brepocitinib, improved scalp hair loss condition markers.

research A Phase 2a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitors Ritlecitinib and Brepocitinib in Alopecia Areata: 24-Week Results

138 citations , March 2021 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Ritlecitinib and brepocitinib effectively regrow hair in alopecia areata patients.

research Treatments for Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

23 citations , February 2021 in “Dermatologic therapy”

Some treatments like pentoxifylline with topical corticosteroids might work for alopecia areata, but more research is needed to find the best one.

research Novel Therapies for Alopecia Areata: The Era of Rational Drug Development

9 citations , December 2017 in “The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology”

New targeted therapies for hair loss from alopecia areata show promise, with personalized treatment expected in the future.

research Epidemiology and Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

144 citations , July 2015 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease affecting about 2% of people, causing significant disability and often associated with mental health issues and other autoimmune conditions.

research Alopecia Areata: An Update

67 citations , January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

The document concludes that alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease without a definitive cure, but treatments like corticosteroids are commonly used.

research Alopecia Areata: A New Treatment Plan

67 citations , July 2011 in “Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology”

The document suggests a personalized treatment plan for alopecia areata based on the patient's age and hair loss severity, using a range of therapies ranked by effectiveness and safety.