Alopecia Areata: Time for Position Statement to Include New Systemic Therapeutic Advances

This consensus statement outlines a treatment algorithm for alopecia areata, detailing systemic treatment indications and options, including EMA-approved medications baricitinib and ritlecitinib for severe cases, as well as other off-label treatments and adjuvant therapies like oral minoxidil.

In this narrative review, researchers outlined the role of T cells in the autoimmune pathogenesis of alopecia areata and highlighted ongoing research into therapeutic pathways, beyond current JAK inhibitors, aimed at developing new treatments for the disease.

This review identified that baricitinib increases both short- and long-term hair regrowth in patients with alopecia areata compared to placebo, but found inconclusive results for serious adverse effects, while evidence for other treatments remains very uncertain.

Ritlecitinib effectively treats alopecia areata and is well-tolerated.

In two phase 3 trials, this study found that oral baricitinib significantly improved hair regrowth compared to placebo in adults with severe alopecia areata after 36 weeks, though longer trials are needed to ascertain its long-term efficacy and safety.