Efficacy of Tofacitinib in the Treatment of Universal Alopecia Areata and Primary Sjögren Syndrome

April 2023 in “ Dermato ”

Teresa Ródenas‐Herranz, Marta Cebolla‐Verdugo, Carlos Llamas‐Segura, Ricardo Ruíz-Villaverde, María Teresa Herranz

tofacitinib universal alopecia areata primary Sjögren’s syndrome JAK inhibitor hair repopulation autoimmune comorbidities Xeljanz

Studysummary Tofacitinib may effectively treat hair loss and improve symptoms in autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata and Sjögren's syndrome, but long-term treatment might be necessary.

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

The document presents a case study of a 45-year-old woman with universal alopecia areata (AA) and primary Sjögren’s syndrome, who was treated with tofacitinib, a JAK inhibitor, for 13 months. After 6 months, her hair loss was completely reversed and her Sjögren’s Syndrome symptoms improved significantly. The document also refers to a meta-analysis of 275 patients with AA, showing a 54% hair repopulation rate with tofacitinib treatment. However, it notes that most patients lose their repopulated hair once treatment stops, suggesting the need for prolonged treatment. The document concludes that JAK inhibitors like tofacitinib could be a promising treatment for AA and associated autoimmune comorbidities.

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