Systemic Treatment for Alopecia Areata

May 2011 in “ Dermatologic therapy ”

Nina Otberg

alopecia areata multifocal alopecia areata alopecia areata totalis alopecia areata universalis systemic agents

Studysummary This article reviews side effects and relapse rates of various systemic treatments for severe alopecia areata, reporting no new clinical findings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

Alopecia areata affected 1.7% of the global population at some point in their lives, with an unknown etiology and unpredictable course. Effective treatments for severe forms, such as multifocal alopecia areata, alopecia areata totalis, and alopecia areata universalis, were lacking. The article discussed the side effects and relapse rates of various systemic agents used to treat severe and rapidly progressing alopecia areata.

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Research cited in this study

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research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

This study identified key genetic regions associated with alopecia areata, highlighting both acquired and innate immune involvement, with a novel link to the upregulation of ULBP ligands in autoimmune disease.

research Alopecia Areata Update

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

This article reviews the clinical presentation and histopathologic features of alopecia areata and proposes a hypothesis for its development, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Alopecia Areata Following Adalimumab

38 citations , January 2009 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

This case report highlights a woman who developed new-onset alopecia areata after starting adalimumab for psoriatic arthritis, challenging the assumed role of TNF-alpha in the condition's pathogenesis.

research Treatment of Persistent Alopecia Areata with Sulfasalazine

45 citations , July 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that oral sulfasalazine led to varying hair regrowth outcomes in patients with persistent alopecia areata, with 56.3% showing moderate to good responses.

research Development of Alopecia Areata Universalis in a Patient Receiving Adalimumab

69 citations , December 2006 in “Archives of dermatology”

This entry contains no research abstract, so no scientific findings or conclusions are reported.

research Intralesional Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Triamcinolone Acetonide by Jet Injector

100 citations , July 2006 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections using a needleless injector led to rapid hair regrowth in patients with limited alopecia areata, while lasting growth was rare in alopecia totalis.

research A Comparison of the Efficacy, Relapse Rate, and Side Effects Among Three Modalities of Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy for Alopecia Areata

97 citations , January 2006 in “Dermatology”

This study found that intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide or pulse therapy effectively treats alopecia areata with manageable side effects, but further strategies are needed to reduce relapse rates.

research Alopecia Areata Presenting in Two Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Recipients Taking Cyclosporine

23 citations , October 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This report describes the unexpected development of alopecia areata in kidney-pancreas transplant recipients undergoing cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive therapy, suggesting a complex relationship between the treatment and disease.

research Recurrence of Alopecia Areata in a Patient Receiving Etanercept Injections

75 citations , June 2005 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this case report, a patient experienced a recurrence of alopecia areata while undergoing etanercept treatment, suggesting the drug may not effectively prevent this condition's return.

research Placebo-Controlled Oral Pulse Prednisolone Therapy in Alopecia Areata

141 citations , February 2005 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, oral prednisolone pulse therapy led to significant hair regrowth in some patients with extensive alopecia areata, whereas no improvement was seen in the placebo group.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations , September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata with finasteride and minoxidil but reports no new clinical results.

research Alopecia Areata in a Renal Transplant Recipient on Cyclosporin

12 citations , November 1996 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

A kidney transplant patient on cyclosporin experienced unexpected severe hair loss, which improved with treatment adjustments.

research Pulsed Administration of Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

117 citations , February 1996 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that monthly oral prednisolone pulses of 300 mg were effective and safe for treating widespread alopecia areata, with 58.3% of patients achieving cosmetically acceptable hair growth.

research Systemic Steroids With or Without 2% Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

24 citations , November 1992 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that a 6-week taper of prednisone led to more than 25% hair regrowth in 30% to 47% of alopecia areata patients, and applying 2% topical minoxidil helped maintain this growth.

research Alterations in Scalp Blood Flow After the Epicutaneous Application of 3% Minoxidil and 0.1% Hexyl Nicotinate in Alopecia

25 citations , November 1987 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study observed increases in scalp blood flow following the application of 3% minoxidil and 0.1% hexyl nicotinate in individuals with alopecia.

research Large Doses of Glucocorticoid in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

80 citations , November 1975 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

This study found that while some patients with severe alopecia areata responded to high-dose prednisolone, the response was inconsistent and the therapy's risks prevent recommending it for general use.