Combination Use of Triamcinolone Acetonide and Immunotherapy as a New Therapeutic Option in Alopecia Totalis

The study assessed the potential for hair regrowth in 10 patients with alopecia totalis (AT) who did not respond to topical immunotherapies. Patients received monthly injections of triamcinolone acetonide (TA), followed by immunotherapy using squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) or diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) if vellus hair developed. The complete response rate to TA was 10%, while the partially good response rate was 60%. Good responders showed the anagen stage of hair follicle after TA injections, and the complete responder exhibited further hair regrowth with subsequent immunotherapy. The study suggested that even long-term AT patients could potentially recover their hair cycle with this combined treatment approach.