Oral Tofacitinib for the Management of Moderate to Severe Alopecia Areata in Children and Adolescents: A Retrospective Study of 36 Patients

February 2025 in “ Pediatric Dermatology ”

Rahul Mahajan, Hitaishi Mehta, Dipankar De, Sanjeev Handa

Tofacitinib alopecia areata hair regrowth

TLDR Tofacitinib helps hair regrow in some kids with severe alopecia areata, but more research is needed on long-term effects.

This retrospective study evaluated the effectiveness of oral Tofacitinib in managing moderate to severe alopecia areata (AA) in 36 children and adolescents. The findings indicate that Tofacitinib is effective in promoting rapid hair regrowth in responders. However, the study highlights the need for further investigation into the durability of the treatment's benefits and the necessity for long-term maintenance therapy.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Effectiveness of Tofacitinib in Pre-Adolescent Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Case Series and Literature Review

September 2023 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

Tofacitinib is a safe and effective treatment for hair loss in children with Alopecia Areata.

research Efficacy and Safety of Ritlecitinib in Adults and Adolescents With Alopecia Areata: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Phase 2b–3 Trial

227 citations , April 2023 in “The Lancet”

research An Overview of JAK/STAT Pathways and JAK Inhibition in Alopecia Areata

40 citations , August 2022 in “Frontiers in immunology”

Blocking JAK/STAT pathways can help treat hair loss from alopecia areata.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Pre-Adolescent Children with Oral Tofacitinib: A Retrospective Study

26 citations , October 2020 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

Oral tofacitinib may effectively treat hair loss in children with alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.

research The Role of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Collapse in Alopecia Areata: Status and Perspectives

79 citations , December 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Alopecia areata may be treated by restoring hair follicle immune privilege and adjusting immune responses.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 15 results

community Alopecia Areata Question

in Treatment 2 upvotes 5 years ago

A user with alopecia totalis, borderline universalis, seeks advice on getting into a Xeljanz trial or appealing insurance for coverage. They experienced significant hair regrowth but are now seeing hair loss again and want to try Xeljanz.

Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

community Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

MagicBold in Research 865 upvotes 1 year ago

The treatment for androgenetic alopecia involves using finasteride and minoxidil with intense exercise and cold exposure to boost metabolism and reduce androgenic effects, potentially leading to hair regrowth. This approach may activate biological pathways for improved hair and overall health.

community The shedding caused by Minoxidil is one of the worst things. 2 months apart each picture

in Progress Pictures 290 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation discusses the severe shedding caused by Minoxidil, with users sharing their experiences and outcomes. Some report eventual regrowth, while others see no improvement or worsening hair loss.

community What else is good. Besides the big 3.

in Chat 35 upvotes 1 year ago

Key treatments for hair preservation include minoxidil, finasteride/dutasteride, and microneedling, with additional options like specific shampoos, oils, biotin, zinc, tretinoin, clascoterone, and low-level laser therapy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reducing stress, and addressing nutrient deficiencies can also support hair health.

community Female, 27 years old, shedding/ balding despite being on what is considered to be a effective treatment plan for AGA. Considering Dut (oral) . Please help.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 27 upvotes 1 year ago

A 27-year-old woman with androgenic alopecia is losing hair despite using oral minoxidil and spironolactone, and is considering dutasteride. She is exploring causes like stress and medication side effects, planning tests, and considering treatment changes.

community 22F. Should I even bother getting a biopsy? Is there any point?

8 upvotes 9 years ago

A woman who has been experiencing hair loss for several years, and her question of whether there is any benefit to getting a biopsy to check if it's AGA or diffuse alopecia areata when no cure or very effective treatment exists. Treatments such as spironolactone and Minoxidil/finasteride/RU58841 have previously been discussed.

Related Research

10 / 10 results

Steroid-Free Monotherapy with Tofacitinib in Severe Therapy-Resistant Alopecia: A Retrospective Analysis

research Treatment of an Alopecia Areata Patient with Tofacitinib Results in Regrowth of Hair and Changes in Serum and Skin Biomarkers

70 citations , April 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology”

A patient with alopecia areata regrew hair after taking tofacitinib and showed changes in certain blood and skin markers.

Oral Tofacitinib for the Management of Moderate to Severe Alopecia Areata in Children and Adolescents: A Retrospective Study of 36 Patients

Research cited in this study

research Effectiveness of Tofacitinib in Pre-Adolescent Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Case Series and Literature Review

research Efficacy and Safety of Ritlecitinib in Adults and Adolescents With Alopecia Areata: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Phase 2b–3 Trial

research An Overview of JAK/STAT Pathways and JAK Inhibition in Alopecia Areata

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Pre-Adolescent Children with Oral Tofacitinib: A Retrospective Study

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

research The Role of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Collapse in Alopecia Areata: Status and Perspectives

Related Community Posts Join

community Alopecia Areata Question

community Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

community The shedding caused by Minoxidil is one of the worst things. 2 months apart each picture

community What else is good. Besides the big 3.

community Female, 27 years old, shedding/ balding despite being on what is considered to be a effective treatment plan for AGA. Considering Dut (oral) . Please help.

community 22F. Should I even bother getting a biopsy? Is there any point?

Related Research

research Steroid-Free Monotherapy with Tofacitinib in Severe Therapy-Resistant Alopecia: A Retrospective Analysis

research Alopecia Universalis Treated With Tofacitinib: The Role of JAK/STAT Inhibitors in Hair Regrowth

research Tofacitinib as a Pragmatic Treatment Choice for Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Review

research Alopecia Areata Flare Patterns in Children and Young Adults on Systemic Tofacitinib

research Topical Tofacitinib in Treatment of Alopecia Areata

research Tofacitinib Therapy for Children with Severe Alopecia Areata

research Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Lichen Planopilaris: A Case Series

research Successful Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata With Oral or Topical Tofacitinib

research Excellent Response to Tofacitinib Treatment in a Patient with Alopecia Universalis

research Treatment of an Alopecia Areata Patient with Tofacitinib Results in Regrowth of Hair and Changes in Serum and Skin Biomarkers