An Update on Alopecia Areata

July 2009 in “ Current opinion in pediatrics, with evaluated MEDLINE/Current opinion in pediatrics ”

Liborka Kos, Joseph M. Conlon

alopecia areata autoimmune disease human leukocyte antigen hair follicle immune privilege stress

TLDR Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease affecting hair follicles, with unclear causes and a need for better treatments.

Alopecia areata, a common autoimmune disease, had an unclear pathogenesis as of 2009. Research suggested that certain class II human leukocyte antigen alleles and the collapse of hair follicle immune privilege were key factors. Stress was also identified as a potential contributor. Despite these findings, the genetics and environmental factors involved remained uncertain, and there was a lack of quality evidence supporting the efficacy of existing treatments.

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Research cited in this study

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research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

151 citations, February 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata causes hair loss, has no cure, and various treatments exist.

research Genomewide Scan for Linkage Reveals Evidence of Several Susceptibility Loci for Alopecia Areata

143 citations, January 2007 in “The American Journal of Human Genetics”

Certain genes on chromosomes 6, 10, 16, and 18 may increase the risk of alopecia areata.

research Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Chain-Related Gene A Polymorphisms and Extended Haplotypes Are Associated with Familial Alopecia Areata

44 citations, December 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Certain genetic markers, especially the MICA gene, are linked to alopecia areata.

research Lack of Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost in the Treatment of Eyebrow Alopecia Areata

36 citations, November 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Topical latanoprost doesn't effectively regrow hair in severe eyebrow alopecia areata cases.

research Infant Alopecia Universalis: Role of Topical PUVA (Psoralen Ultraviolet A) Radiation

4 citations, July 2005 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Topical PUVA and tacrolimus ointment can effectively and safely treat infant alopecia universalis.

Efficacy of Betamethasone Valerate Foam Formulation in Comparison with Betamethasone Dipropionate Lotion in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Investigator-Blinded Trial

research Efficacy of Betamethasone Valerate Foam Formulation in Comparison with Betamethasone Dipropionate Lotion in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Investigator-Blinded Trial

66 citations, July 2003 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Betamethasone valerate foam is more effective and safe for treating mild-to-moderate alopecia areata than betamethasone dipropionate lotion.

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1 / 1 results

research Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child

April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology”

A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.

An Update on Alopecia Areata

Research cited in this study

research Controlled Delivery of T-box21 Small Interfering RNA Ameliorates Autoimmune Alopecia in a C3H/HeJ Mouse Model

research Maintenance of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Is Linked to Prevention of NK Cell Attack

research Probing the Effects of Stress Mediators on the Human Hair Follicle

research Lymphocytes, Neuropeptides, And Genes Involved In Alopecia Areata

research Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II Alleles Are Associated with Risk of Alopecia Areata

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

research Genomewide Scan for Linkage Reveals Evidence of Several Susceptibility Loci for Alopecia Areata

research Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Chain-Related Gene A Polymorphisms and Extended Haplotypes Are Associated with Familial Alopecia Areata

research Lack of Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost in the Treatment of Eyebrow Alopecia Areata

research Infant Alopecia Universalis: Role of Topical PUVA (Psoralen Ultraviolet A) Radiation

research Efficacy of Betamethasone Valerate Foam Formulation in Comparison with Betamethasone Dipropionate Lotion in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Investigator-Blinded Trial

research Efficacy of Topical Sensitizers in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

research Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of Topical Minoxidil in Extensive Alopecia Areata

research A Comparison of Intralesional Triamcinolone Hexacetonide and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Alopecia Areata

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research Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child