TLDR Tofacitinib helped regrow hair in a patient with severe hair loss and improved their quality of life without side effects.
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.
40 citations,
September 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Tofacitinib helped some young children with severe hair loss grow their hair back without bad side effects.
20 citations,
January 2018 in “Expert opinion on emerging drugs” JAK inhibitors may soon be a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata.
January 2023 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal” No single ideal JAK inhibitor for alopecia areata has been determined; JAK3 inhibitors may be promising with fewer side effects.
4 citations,
June 2023 in “Frontiers in immunology” JAK inhibitors help hair regrowth in alopecia areata but have a high risk of side effects.
January 2025 in “SKIN The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine” Calcipotriol's effectiveness for treating alopecia areata is unclear and needs more research.
21 citations,
May 2017 in “Paediatric drugs” Individualized treatment plans are crucial for children with alopecia areata, with promising options like JAK inhibitors showing significant hair regrowth.
January 2024 in “Dermatology practical & conceptual” Male gender and family history predict alopecia areata recurrence.
139 citations,
November 2016 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Tofacitinib helped regrow hair in most adolescents with alopecia areata, but more research is needed.
