JAK Inhibitors Effective for Hair Growth in Alopecia Areata

[Manouche]

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors effectively stimulate hair growth, compared with placebo, for patients with alopecia areata, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis. Oral JAK inhibitors are more effective than topical formulations.

In an analysis of seven trials that included almost 2000 patients, the odds of achieving 50% improvement were more than five times greater for patients who received JAK inhibitors, compared with patients who received placebo.

"Although the safety and tolerability of JAK inhibitors were acceptable, longer randomized controlled trials are needed to further assess the effectiveness and safety of these treatments for alopecia areata," write study author Ming Liu, PhD, of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues.

The findings were published June 27 in JAMA Network Open.

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

[ainslie]

I haven’t read the article yet but wonder about oral Rux to regrow hair, they have been doing it to years but even us with MPN are always of pros and cons of drugs but we have no choice. Eg I wonder what it’s doing to their marrow, immunity etc, it will be dose dependant probably but even then. On the other hand I have never had alopecia areata, I don’t underestimate how upsetting it could be. I did read read they are now using topical Rux for some non MPN itchy skin conditions.

[KLCTJC]

So far all that is approved for this is Olumiant. Which blocks JAK 1,2&3. They come with more precautions technically than Rux. We have to evaluate patients to determine if they are appropriate and monitor labs. Patients with alopecia areata do very well on this but can never stop it or they will have rebound hair loss. But this works great and changing people’s lives who have lost all their hair. JAK inhibitors are proving to be very useful with many chronic conditions.