Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Simvastatin and Ezetimibe

January 2018 in “ The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings ”

Jessica Cervantes, Joaquín J. Jiménez, G.M. DelCanto, Antonella Tosti

alopecia areata simvastatin ezetimibe T lymphocytic infiltrates hair follicles JAK/STAT pathway CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+ AA statins

TLDR Simvastatin/ezetimibe may help treat new cases of alopecia areata but not long-term cases.

The document discussed the potential of simvastatin/ezetimibe as a treatment for alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune disorder marked by T lymphocytic infiltrates around hair follicles. Statins were considered promising due to their modulation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Evidence suggested that statins might be effective for acute AA but not for chronic, longstanding cases. Animal studies indicated that statin treatment increased CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+ populations in AA-affected mice.

View this study on jidsponline.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

4 / 4 results

research Unsuccessful Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Simvastatin/Ezetimibe: Experience in 12 Patients

14 citations , January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Simvastatin/ezetimibe did not effectively treat severe alopecia areata and caused side effects in some patients.

research Oral Ruxolitinib Induces Hair Regrowth in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

196 citations , September 2016 in “JCI insight”

Ruxolitinib effectively regrows hair in most patients with severe hair loss.

research Safety and Efficacy of the JAK Inhibitor Tofacitinib Citrate in Patients with Alopecia Areata

222 citations , September 2016 in “JCI insight”

Tofacitinib is safe and effective for severe alopecia areata, but hair loss may return 2 months after stopping treatment.

research Alopecia Areata Update

391 citations , February 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.