Experience with oral tofacitinib in severe alopecia areata with different clinical responses

Alopecia areata (AA) and generalized form, universalis (AU) are common causes of noncicatricial alopecia, targeting anagen hair follicles. A dominant interferon-gamma transcriptional signaling and cytotoxic T lymphocytes were accused as the main drivers of disease pathogenesis. Tofacitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor that has been proven to interfere with the positive feedback loop between the follicular cell and the cytotoxic T lymphocytes in AA. There is an increasing number of studies reporting success with tofacitinib in AA.

We aimed to assess oral tofacitinib's safety and efficacy in 13 recalcitrant AA and AU patients.

This is a retrospective pilot study performed between 2017 and 2020. The demographic features and the treatment responses were evaluated with Severity of Alopecia Tool score changes.

Thirteen recalcitrant alopecia areata patients (3 AA, 10 AU), aged between 17 and 49, were included in the study. The treatment duration was 3-15 months. All three AA patients responded well; however, the therapy was unsuccessful in five of ten AU patients. Relapse was observed in one of the AA and three of the AU responders. Acneiform lesions and elevation of transaminases were the major side effects.

Tofacitinib seems to be more promising and thriving in the treatment of AA than AU. Starting the therapy earlier can bring more successful results. Unfortunately, even in the cases that fully respond to treatment, relapse can be observed after discontinuation of the treatment. It is essential to inform patients about this situation in reducing the frustrations that may occur later.