Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata and Variants in Adolescents
November 2016
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
Studysummary In this retrospective review, tofacitinib treatment was associated with clinically significant hair regrowth in most adolescent patients with alopecia areata, though limitations suggest further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The study from 2017 assessed the use of tofacitinib in treating adolescents with alopecia areata (AA) and its variants. It involved 13 patients aged 12 to 17, who were observed for an average of 6.5 months. The treatment led to clinically significant hair regrowth in 9 patients, with a median improvement in SALT score of 93%. Side effects were mild, including headaches and mild liver enzyme elevations. Despite promising results, the study's retrospective design, the small number of participants, and the absence of a control group were noted as limitations. The authors recommended further prospective trials to confirm the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib for AA in adolescents.
