TLDR Ritlecitinib effectively reduces hair loss in JAK inhibitor-naïve alopecia areata patients.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of ritlecitinib, a JAK3 and TEC family kinase inhibitor, in treating severe alopecia areata (AA) over 24 weeks in a real-world setting. Conducted at Tohoku University Hospital, Japan, it involved 22 patients, with 9 being JAK inhibitor-naïve and 13 having prior baricitinib exposure. Results showed that all JAKi-naïve patients achieved a SALT50 score, indicating a significant reduction in hair loss, with 78% reaching SALT75. In contrast, only 23% of JAKi-experienced patients achieved SALT50, and 8% reached SALT75. No adverse events or worsening of SALT scores were reported, suggesting ritlecitinib is particularly effective for JAKi-naïve patients and remains a viable option for those previously treated with baricitinib due to its safety profile.
December 2024 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Switching to ritlecitinib improves hair regrowth and well-being in severe alopecia areata patients.
October 2024 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Ritlecitinib and baricitinib are similarly effective for hair regrowth in severe alopecia areata.
37 citations
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August 2022 in “Frontiers in pharmacology” Oral JAK inhibitors are effective and safe for treating alopecia areata but may need ongoing use to keep results.
86 citations
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January 2020 in “British Journal of Dermatology” The AA-IGA scale reliably measures treatment success in alopecia areata by considering both clinician and patient views.
95 citations
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November 2018 in “Australasian journal of dermatology” Alopecia areata treatment varies, with no optimal method established yet.
22 citations
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March 2017 in “Scientific reports” Double-stranded RNA causes inflammation in hair follicle cells, which may help understand and treat alopecia areata.
701 citations
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August 2014 in “Nature medicine” Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.
421 citations
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April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.
253 citations
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December 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Hair follicles prevent NK cell attacks to avoid hair loss.
October 2023 in “International journal of rheumatic diseases” New treatments targeting the JAK signaling pathway, especially JAK inhibitors, show promise for alopecia areata.
36 citations
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December 2021 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology” Two drugs, ritlecitinib and brepocitinib, improved scalp hair loss condition markers.
4 citations
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May 2025 in “Frontiers in Immunology” JAK inhibitors effectively and safely treat alopecia areata with few serious side effects.
4 citations
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November 2023 in “Frontiers in immunology” New treatments targeting T-cell pathways are needed for better alopecia areata management.
April 2024 in “Frontiers in pharmacology” Brepocitinib 30mg is most effective for moderate-to-severe alopecia areata, but ritlecitinib 50mg may offer a better balance of safety and effectiveness.
January 2025 in “Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina Pannonica et Adriatica” JAK inhibitors can help regrow hair in alopecia areata but have potential long-term risks and require careful monitoring.
