Alopecia

New and in-the-pipeline Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have the potential to make huge differences in the lives of patients with this psychologically distressing autoimmune disease.

Kristen Whitney, DO, FAAD, dermatologist at Allegheny Health Network, explored the intricate management of alopecia areata, often in tandem with other autoimmune conditions while emphasizing the significance of innovative medications and diagnostic tools, such as dermoscopy, in enhancing patient outcomes.

Kristen Whitney, DO, FAAD, dermatologist at Allegheny Health Network, highlighted recent breakthroughs in treating alopecia areata, focusing on the effectiveness of Janus kinase inhibitors and the ongoing challenges related to insurance coverage and patient access.

Alopecia areata was more likely to develop in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were taking anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy at the onset of the condition.

Alopecia areata is more prevalent in Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Black children than in non-Hispanic White children, with some Asian subgroups having a higher risk compared with those of Chinese ethnicity.

Alopecia areata and asthma are strongly linked, particularly through the inflammatory protein IL-33, suggesting a shared biological pathway and potential for targeted treatments like dupilumab.

Upadacitinib, a drug used to treat atopic dermatitis (AD), may potentially induce alopecia areata, a case study suggests.

Alopecia areata is linked to specific trace elements, serum metabolites, and inflammatory factors, according to a genetic analysis, suggesting potential new treatment and prevention strategies.

However, an analysis suggested that androgenetic alopecia is not caused by hypothyroidism.

Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPA, MPH, director of the inpatient dermatology consult service at Brigham & Women's Hospital, discusses the utility of deuruxolitinib for treating moderate to severe alopecia areata (AA).

Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPA, MPH, assistant professor of dermatology, director of the inpatient dermatology consult service, and codirector of the Complex Medical Dermatology Fellowship at Brigham & Women's Hospital, draws attention to the challenges in identifying specific treatment targets in alopecia areata and the development of effective outcome measures for clinical trials.

The impact alopecia areata (AA) has on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) may not be accurately measured with EQ-5D-5L, suggesting the need for alternative assessments.

Kristen Whitney, DO, FAAD, determines systemic treatment options for severe alopecia areata based on the patient’s medical history, past treatments tried, potential adverse events, in addition to the weighing risk vs benefit of the therapy and the cost for the patient.

Researchers examined the impact of baricitinib withdrawal and retreatment on hair regrowth in patients with severe alopecia areata.

Patients with alopecia areata have a significantly increased risk of developing psychiatric and autoimmune diseases both before and after diagnosis, highlighting the importance of comprehensive care for these individuals.

A bibliometric analysis reveals a significant increase in research on alopecia areata treatment over the past 2 decades, with a focus on identifying effective therapies and understanding underlying mechanisms of the condition.

Autologous fat grafting offers hope for patients with alopecia, especially those with scarring, by reducing inflammation and stimulating hair growth.

Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPA, MPH, assistant professor of dermatology, director of the inpatient dermatology consult service, and codirector of the Complex Medical Dermatology Fellowship at Brigham & Women's Hospital, discusses the recent FDA approval of deuruxolitinib for the treatment of moderate to severe alopecia areata.

Posters presented at the Society for Pediatric Dermatology Annual Meeting shed new light on pediatric hair loss, including the rising prevalence of androgenetic alopecia in children, the potential of artificial intelligence to assess hair loss severity, and the long-term safety of ritlecitinib for treating alopecia areata in adolescents.

Patients with alopecia areata (AA) face significant out-of-pocket costs for treatments, despite many having limited efficacy.

The FDA has approved deuruxolitinib, an oral medication developed by Sun Pharma, as the first-line treatment for adults with moderate to severe alopecia areata.

Two posters presented at the Society for Pediatric Dermatology Annual Meeting explored common health conditions linked to childhood alopecia areata and the effectiveness of dupilumab treatment in children with both alopecia areata and atopic dermatitis.

Marissa Joseph, MD, MSc, FRCPC, medical director at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, highlighted cases from her practice to illustrate the recommended approach to scarring inflammatory scalp dermatosis in adolescents at the Society for Pediatric Dermatology Annual Meeting.

A literature review found a link between COVID-19 vaccination and alopecia, with most cases experiencing hair loss within 1 month after the first dose. However, the small sample size and limited data call for further investigation.

An expert consensus by Spanish dermatologists offers treatment recommendations for androgenetic alopecia, the most common cause of hair loss, using a combination of medications and hair transplantation depending on the patient's sex, age, and other factors.

Results found nail changes in patients with alopecia areata (AA) can occur before, after, or independent of hair loss with the most common nail problems including pitting, ridging, and white spots.

In addition to ensuring residency programs provide educational and practical opportunities for addressing skin of color (SOC) hair-related concerns, prioritizing having residents of diverse backgrounds can help close knowledge and comfort gaps, suggest researchers.

Various laser technologies are emerging as a promising treatment for alopecia, showing effectiveness in hair regrowth with minimal adverse events. These treatments target inflammation and stimulate hair follicles to promote hair growth, but more research is necessary to confirm long-term safety and efficacy for some lasers.

The review explores the potential link between alopecia areata (AA) and cysteine metabolism. Research suggests insufficient cysteine levels or disruptions in its processing could contribute to AA development. Further studies are needed to confirm these connections and explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting cysteine metabolism for AA treatment.

This scientific review examines the potential of targeting the thyroid receptor β (TRβ) for developing new drugs to treat androgenetic alopecia, with the authors discussing various mechanisms by which TRβ might work and analyze promising drug candidates.