An Innovative Method of Treating Sudden Hair Loss

JAK inhibitors, a novel class of drug, can effectively cure moderate to severe alopecia areata, a difficult-to-treat hair loss disorder.

Drs. Brett King and Brittany Craiglow of Yale University conducted a research on its efficacy, which was published in August in a supplement to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Because alopecia areata is an inflammatory condition, a JAK inhibitor will essentially reduce the inflammation that is fueling the disease and bring your immune system back into balance,” says Dr. Sandra Johnson. She is a part-time professor at the Little Rock campus of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and was not involved in the study.

According to a press statement from the American Academy of Dermatology, “The development of JAK inhibitors has given us another treatment to improve the lives of patients with alopecia areata,”as Johnson stated.

Though it can occur at any age, the illness is most frequent in children. It causes abrupt hair loss in larger-sized affected regions. It may in certain instances spread to the whole head or body.

Additionally, it is more prevalent in those who have had nivolumab (Opdivo) therapy for cancer and in those with a close blood relative who has the condition. Alopecia areata risk is also increased by illnesses such Down syndrome, thyroid disease, vitiligo, hay fever, asthma, and eczema.

Mother-of-two Courtney Martens, from Edmond, Oklahoma, took part in a clinical trial at Johnson’s clinic in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

When Martens first observed a silver dollar-sized bald patch on her head at age 38, she knew she had alopecia areata. Martens eventually lost all of her hair, including her eyelashes, eyebrows, and scalp.

Alopecia areata was identified as her condition in 2017. Her body was attacking its own hair follicles as a result of her immune system.

In the news release, Martens added, “It’s pretty traumatizing, most people think it’s just hair, but it was exhausting because it became what everybody talked about. It was like I lost my identity because I was always the girl with pretty hair growing up.”

Martens was able to fully regrow her hair after receiving treatment with a JAK inhibitor at Johnson’s clinic. She expressed her gratitude for the treatment’s success, saying she feels blessed.

According to the latest study, JAK inhibitors have ushered in a new age and made it possible to treat moderate-to-severe alopecia areata. Two medications—baricitinib and ritlecitinib—have received approval, and a third, deuruxolitinib, is on the verge of doing so, according to the authors. There are also current clinical trials.

A person’s nails and the area of hair loss are both inspected in order to diagnose alopecia areata. Blood testing could be required to rule out other immune-mediated illnesses.

In addition to JAK inhibitors, contact immunotherapy can be utilized to alter a person’s immune system such that their hair follicles are no longer attacked. Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids and the disease-modifying antirheumatic drug methotrexate are other therapeutic possibilities.

“We now have more treatment options than ever before for alopecia areata patients, and they are providing results for people for whom previous treatments were not effective,” Johnson said. “It’s important to know that no one treatment works for everyone. Your board-certified dermatologist can recommend the treatment options that work best for you.”

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