The Triumph of JAK Inhibitors for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

September 2022 in “ Hair transplant forum international ”

Sukhmani Pannu, Nathalie Ly, Zehara Abidi, Sophia Fruechte, Ronda S. Farah, Suleima Arruda, Neil S. Sadick, Maria Hordinsky

JAK inhibitors alopecia areata baricitinib tofacitinib ruxolitinib ritlecitinib immune-mediated hair loss AA FDA

TLDR JAK inhibitors like baricitinib are a new FDA-approved treatment for alopecia areata, but safety data is incomplete.

Alopecia areata (AA) affects 2% of the U.S. population and is the most common immune-mediated cause of hair loss globally. Historically, there were no FDA-approved treatments for AA, and all treatments were prescribed off-label. The approval of the JAK inhibitor baricitinib by the FDA in June 2022 marks a significant advancement in AA treatment. However, comprehensive safety profile data is still lacking. Ongoing research is exploring topical and sublingual JAK inhibitors, including tofacitinib, ruxolitinib, and ritlecitinib. This review delves into baricitinib's dosing regimen, clinical challenges, and future prospects.

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Research cited in this study

19 / 19 results

research Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

148 citations, March 2022 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Baricitinib was effective in treating alopecia areata in two major trials.

research Tofacitinib as a Pragmatic Treatment Choice for Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Review

4 citations, January 2022 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Tofacitinib was found to be a safe and effective treatment for hair regrowth in patients with alopecia areata.

research A Comprehensive Literature Review of JAK Inhibitors in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

40 citations, June 2021 in “Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology”

JAK inhibitors show promise in effectively treating hair loss from alopecia areata.

research Sublingual Tofacitinib for Alopecia Areata: A Roll-Over Pilot Clinical Trial and Analysis of Pharmacokinetics

9 citations, May 2021 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

The trial showed that a new under-the-tongue treatment for severe hair loss was somewhat effective in a small group of people.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review on Diagnosis, Immunological Etiopathogenesis, and Treatment Options

56 citations, January 2021 in “Clinical and Experimental Medicine”

The document concludes that while there are various treatments for Alopecia Areata, there is no cure, and individualized treatment plans are essential due to varying effectiveness.

research Benefit and Risk Profile of Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

54 citations, September 2019 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Tofacitinib is somewhat effective for alopecia areata, but more research is needed on its safety and long-term effects.

research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

148 citations, December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.

An Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Moderate to Severe Patch-Type Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

research An Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Moderate to Severe Patch-Type Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

130 citations, February 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Tofacitinib may help treat severe hair loss, but more research is needed.

research Alopecia Areata: Treatment Options and Efficacy

182 citations, December 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Some treatments can help with a hair loss condition called alopecia areata, but none ensure lasting results; choices depend on the person, with JAK inhibitors showing promise for severe cases.

research Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Pediatric Alopecia Areata

83 citations, June 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical JAK inhibitors may help children with alopecia areata regrow hair.

research JAK Inhibitors in Dermatology: The Promise of a New Drug Class

355 citations, January 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

JAK inhibitors show promise for treating skin conditions like eczema, hair loss, and psoriasis.

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238 citations, November 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib is effective and safe for severe hair loss, but full regrowth is less likely after 10 years of hair loss.

research Safety and Efficacy of the JAK Inhibitor Tofacitinib Citrate in Patients with Alopecia Areata

222 citations, September 2016 in “JCI insight”

Tofacitinib is safe and effective for severe alopecia areata, but hair loss may return 2 months after stopping treatment.

research Oral Ruxolitinib Induces Hair Regrowth in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

196 citations, September 2016 in “JCI insight”

Ruxolitinib effectively regrows hair in most patients with severe hair loss.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations, August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.

research Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Oral Tofacitinib Reverses Alopecia Universalis in a Patient with Plaque Psoriasis

185 citations, June 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

A man with severe hair loss and skin disease regrew his hair with no side effects after taking tofacitinib.

research Clobetasol Propionate, 0.05%, vs Hydrocortisone, 1%, for Alopecia Areata in Children

49 citations, November 2013 in “JAMA dermatology”

Clobetasol propionate, 0.05%, is more effective and safe for treating childhood alopecia areata than hydrocortisone, 1%.

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Systemic corticosteroids don't prevent severe alopecia areata from spreading or relapsing.

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101 citations, March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil solution helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata, with 5% being more effective.

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