Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Tofacitinib – A Jak Inhibitor
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21276/9yvhvs14Keywords:
alopecia areata, tofacitinib, JAK inhibitorsAbstract
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune non-scarring hair loss with a lifetime prevalence of 2% characterized by patches of hair loss in normal hair bearing areas. Key pathogenic events involves attack on hair follicles by auto-reactive CD8- T cells and local secretion of interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-15 which activate target immune cells via the janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signalling pathway.
We describe 10 patients to evaluate the efficacy of oral tofacitinib, a janus- kinase 1 and 3 inhibitor in the treatment of alopecia areata.
A prospective study was conducted wherein the participants were given tablet tofacitinib 5 mg twice a day for 6 months and followed up for next 6 months after completion of treatment.
The minimum and maximum SALT scores were 26 and 96 respectively , with the mean SALT score of 45. 4 out of 10 patients achieved a SALT score of 0 by the end of therapy , all with either patchy or alopecia totalis pattern of hair-loss. Participants responded markedly in the first 3 months of therapy with complete regrowth in 6 months.
Pathogenesis of alopecia areata is not yet clearly defined however, JAK inhibitors seem to show promising results. The aim of our study is to highlight that if used within 6 months and in certain types of alopecia areata there can be great results with JAK inhibitors, however the major drawback is relapse of disease after stopping the treatment.
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