The Role of Tofacitinib in the Management of Alopecia Totalis

In 2019, a 37-year-old female patient with alopecia totalis (AT), a severe form of hair loss, was treated with tofacitinib after other treatments had failed. Tofacitinib, a Janus kinase-3 inhibitor, was administered at a dose of 5 mg/12 hours. After three months, 40% hair regrowth was observed, and by six months, the patient's hair loss was reduced to less than 25%. The patient's quality of life significantly improved, and no side effects were reported over the 10-month treatment period. However, the study noted that discontinuation of tofacitinib could cause a relapse of alopecia. The study suggested further research to determine protocols of use, monotherapy and combined therapy, and monitoring the side effects of alopecia areata.