Systemic Tofacitinib Treatment in Pediatric Patients with Resistant Alopecia Areata

January 2024 in “ Dermatologic therapy ”

Eda Öksüm Solak, Murat Borlu

tofacitinib Janus kinase inhibitor JAK inhibitor alopecia areata Severity of Alopecia Tool SALT score upper respiratory infection AA

TLDR Tofacitinib is a safe treatment for hair loss in children, but long-term use may be needed for best results.

The research article discusses a retrospective study on the use of systemic tofacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, for treating resistant alopecia areata (AA) in pediatric patients. The study involved 9 patients, average age 14.6 years, treated between 2019 and 2023. Results showed significant improvements in alopecia, especially at the 12-month mark, with 71.4% of the 7 patients who continued treatment for 12 months showing 50% or more improvement in Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. Only one patient reported an upper respiratory infection as a side effect. The study suggests that oral tofacitinib is a safe option for resistant pediatric AA patients, but long-term treatment might be necessary for optimal clinical response. The study's retrospective design and small patient cohort are significant limitations, and larger randomized studies are needed to further explore the efficacy and potential of JAK inhibitors in pediatric AA treatment.

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