Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery
-
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune-mediated, nonscarring form of hair loss. Despite its prevalence, current management options are limited, especially when the disease has progressed to alopecia totalis (AT) or alopecia universalis (AU). Recent evidence that janus kinase (JAK) signaling contributes to AA pathogenesis prompted the investigation of JAK inhibitors such as tofacitinib and ruxolitinib as possible oral treatments. ⋯ It is likely that both intrinsic factors specific to individual patients and extrinsic factors relating to treatment regimen are involved. Furthermore, characterisation of the specific JAKs overexpressed in AA may better target medication. Finally, this report highlights the need to compare the outcomes of topical vs oral ruxolitinib administration in patients with severe AA, AT, and AU and may support the possibility that extensive disease is more adequately treated with oral administration of ruxolitinib.