[JAK INHIBITORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA AREATA]

JAK inhibitors are small molecules that are capable of blocking T-cell-mediated inflammation. They have been shown to be beneficial in several inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Treatment with three JAK inhibitors, ruxolitinib, baricitinib and tofacitinib, led to hair regrowth in alopecia areata patients, and similar effects have also been demonstrated in animal models for alopecia areata. Based on these data, JAK inhibitors have gained widespread popularity for the treatment of moderate-to-severe alopecia areata patients. Nevertheless, treatment with JAK inhibitors can lead to adverse events, with infections being the most worrisome. Furthermore, the durability of JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata is still unknown. Clinical trials with topical and systemic JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata are ongoing, and hopefully will provide us with better understanding of the safety and efficacy of these medications. If indeed these treatments will prove to be effective and safe, they might become the first FDA-approved treatment for alopecia areata. Disclosures: Prof. Ramot received lecture fees from Novartis and Lilly.