Patient Profile and Treatment Characteristics of Adults and Adolescents Prescribed Ritlecitinib for Alopecia Areata in the USA

In the first 10 months following its FDA approval in June 2023, ritlecitinib was prescribed to a diverse group of patients aged ≥12 years with severe alopecia areata (AA) in the USA. This study analyzed data from 2,562 patients in cohort 1 and 381 in cohort 2, revealing that 62% were prescribed ritlecitinib by dermatologists, 59% were female, and 35% were adolescents. Approximately 24% had severe AA forms like alopecia totalis or universalis, 12% had other autoimmune disorders, 24% had atopic disorders, and 24% had mental health conditions. Before starting ritlecitinib, 27% had no prior AA treatments, while about one-third received systemic immunomodulators or injectable corticosteroids. In cohort 2, 77% experienced ≥50% scalp hair loss. The findings suggest ritlecitinib offers new opportunities for engaging patients in AA care, regardless of their treatment history or comorbidities.