Treatment of Alopecia Areata With JAK Inhibitors: A Review of the Literature

JAK inhibitors are a promising treatment for moderate-to-severe alopecia areata, with clinical trials showing that 33-40% of patients achieve near-complete scalp coverage within 6 months. Baricitinib and ritlecitinib have shown significant hair regrowth, with 38.8% and 31% of patients responding, respectively. While short-term safety is acceptable, long-term risks like serious infections and thrombosis need further study. Challenges include suboptimal response in up to half of patients, relapse after discontinuation, and limited long-term data. JAK inhibitors should be used for extensive or refractory cases, with careful monitoring. Future research should address long-term safety, treatment duration, and relapse prevention.