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Rheumatoid arthritis drug may treat hair loss
Medical News Today • • health
Key Points:
- Approximately 160 million people worldwide suffer from alopecia areata, a chronic autoimmune disease causing hair loss on the scalp, face, and other body parts, with no current cure available.
- A new phase 3 clinical trial involving nearly 1,400 participants found that the JAK inhibitor upadacitinib, currently used for rheumatoid arthritis, helped about half of patients regrow at least 80% of scalp hair within 24 weeks.
- Upadacitinib targets the JAK/STAT pathway to reduce inflammation, and study participants also experienced regrowth of eyebrows and eyelashes, along with improved emotional and social well-being.
- The medication has been approved for severe alopecia areata in Europe and is under FDA review in the United States, with hopes for imminent approval to expand treatment options.
- Experts highlight that upadacitinib offers a promising new therapy by modulating the immune response, potentially allowing more personalized and effective management of alopecia areata.
