Janus kinase inhibitors: An innovative treatment for alopecia areata

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is a relatively common disease, but no satisfactory treatment has yet been developed. Recently, research progress has been made in the pathogenesis of AA, revealing that autoreactive cytotoxic T cells are important and that the Janus kinase (JAK) pathway is involved. Therefore, the potential of JAK inhibitors as therapeutic agents for AA is attracting attention. Several single-arm clinical trials and retrospective studies demonstrated that oral JAK inhibitors are effective and tolerable treatments for moderate to severe AA. Although JAK inhibitors are emerging as an innovative treatment for AA, further placebo-controlled clinical trials are required to confirm their efficacy and long-term safety.

Keywords: Janus kinase inhibitors; alopecia areata; baricitinib; ruxolitinib; tofacitinib.