[HTML][HTML] Reversal of alopecia areata following treatment with the JAK1/2 inhibitor baricitinib

A Jabbari, Z Dai, L Xing, JE Cerise, Y Ramot… - …, 2015 - thelancet.com
A Jabbari, Z Dai, L Xing, JE Cerise, Y Ramot, Y Berkun, GAM Sanchez, R Goldbach-Mansky
EBioMedicine, 2015thelancet.com
Background Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease resulting in hair loss with
devastating psychosocial consequences. Despite its high prevalence, there are no FDA-
approved treatments for AA. Prior studies have identified a prominent interferon signature in
AA, which signals through JAK molecules. Methods A patient with AA was enrolled in a
clinical trial to examine the efficacy of baricitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, to treat concomitant
CANDLE syndrome. In vivo, preclinical studies were conducted using the C3H/HeJ AA …
Background
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease resulting in hair loss with devastating psychosocial consequences. Despite its high prevalence, there are no FDA-approved treatments for AA. Prior studies have identified a prominent interferon signature in AA, which signals through JAK molecules.
Methods
A patient with AA was enrolled in a clinical trial to examine the efficacy of baricitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, to treat concomitant CANDLE syndrome. In vivo, preclinical studies were conducted using the C3H/HeJ AA mouse model to assess the mechanism of clinical improvement by baricitinib.
Findings
The patient exhibited a striking improvement of his AA on baricitinib over several months. In vivo studies using the C3H/HeJ mouse model demonstrated a strong correlation between resolution of the interferon signature and clinical improvement during baricitinib treatment.
Interpretation
Baricitinib may be an effective treatment for AA and warrants further investigation in clinical trials.
thelancet.com