New treatments are giving alopecia patients hope, according to ODAC Medical Dermatology Advisor Jennifer Soung, MD, FAAD. Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with the ODAC Dermatology Conference, interviewed Dr. Soung, who shares her pearls for the medical treatment of alopecia. Watch as Dr. Soung outlines the AST tool to determine alopecia severity. Hear a summary of approved JAK inhibitors for alopecia as well as Dr. Soung’s thoughts on their safety. Plus find out what question Dr. Soung asks patients that drives her treatment recommendations.
Further Reading
If you want to read more about treating alopecia, check out the following articles published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology:
Alopecia Universalis: Never Give Up?
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Oral Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) have demonstrated significant promise in hair regrowth for severe alopecia areata. Baricitinib and ritlecitinib are two medications within this class that have been FDA-approved in recent years, with data supporting treatment response over the course of a few months.
Case Presentation: We present the case of a 28-year-old female with alopecia universalis and a Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) of 100%, who failed 1 year of baricitinib therapy and was switched to ritlecitinib. She experienced regrowth of vellus hairs on the scalp and some eyebrow hair after 6 months of therapy and subsequent robust growth of terminal hair after 1 year of ritlecitinib and 2 total years of total JAKi therapy. The patient also had regrowth of the eyelashes, eyebrows, and resolution of nail pitting.
Conclusion: The authors aim to report this case to highlight the success of prolonged JAKi therapy for patients with severe refractory alopecia areata and the success of JAKi therapy after failure of a prior JAKi. Dermatologists should consider longer courses of these medications and switching within the class for patients who experience poor response with initial agents.
The ABCs of JAKis: A Clinician’s Guide to Safety and Monitoring of the Systemic JAK Inhibitors
ABSTRACT
Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) have recently emerged in the arsenal of tools to treat dermatological conditions. However, there are some concerns regarding these treatments due to their boxed warning. Here we discuss the safe and effective use of JAKs for the treatment of a wide variety of dermatologic conditions. We will also discuss monitoring guidelines.
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