TL;DR:
- Alopecia areata is a chronic autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss (5-10 cm scalp spots or full body hair loss). It occurs due to the immune system attacking hair follicles.
- JAK inhibitors, such as ofacitinib and ruxolitinib, effectively block immune system attacks on hair follicles by inhibiting certain enzymes. These drugs are non-protein based, reducing side effects and autoantibody issues.
- Eligibility for treatment: Patients aged 18-65, with 50%+ hair loss (SALT score), diagnosed 6 months to 10 years ago and not on other conflicting treatments, can enroll.
- Treatment duration: 24 weeks (double-blind, placebo-controlled), followed by optional open-label extension up to 32 weeks.
- Results: 75% hair growth improvement; 92% reduction in hair loss.
- Overseen by dermatology experts; trials began mid-2021.
Alopecia areata is one disease that is associated with excessive hair loss. Treatment is often lengthy and requires professional care. One of the innovative and highly effective ways to treat this condition is the use of JAK inhibitors. At our clinic, we offer the opportunity to proceed with the treatment of alopecia areata using this very method. What exactly does it consist of and how does the treatment proceed?
What is alopecia areata?
This type of uncontrolled hair loss makes patients uncomfortable in everyday life. This is because hair is of great importance for appearance and self-confidence. **In the case of alopecia areata, hair loss is quite characteristic, as oval hairless foci are formed on the scalp, usually 5 to 10 cm in size. Alopecia areata can be partial or affect the entire body hair. Importantly, alopecia areata is a chronic autoimmune disease. Hair loss is associated with the human immune system attacking hair follicles, causing them to become inflamed. As a result, the hair growth cycle shortens, and the resting phase, the last of the hair growth phases, begins very quickly and the hair falls out. Until the end, the reasons why the body attacks its own cells, in this case hair follicles, are not known. Therefore, for a long time, the treatment of alopecia areata had little success. However, scientific developments have made it possible to develop **the JAK inhibitor treatment method**.
JAK inhibitors – what are they?
A new method of treating alopecia areata uses inhibitors. As studies show, this method allows for effective treatment of this condition. So what are JAK inhibitors? JAK transit kinase inhibitors are drugs that contain molecules that inhibit the body's activity of destroying hair follicles through the immune system. Two molecules are currently being used to treat alopecia areata: ofacitinib and ruxolitinib. Due to their non-protein structure, they are much more effective than biologic drugs.
Who can undergo treatment with JAK inhibitors at our clinic?
Treatment with JAK inhibitors will begin in June 2021 and is expected to be completed in June 2022. Participation is open to individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 who are struggling with moderate to advanced alopecia areata. Those wishing to undergo treatment must not be undergoing any other medical therapy for alopecia areata or affecting the immune system. In addition, only people who have had a diagnosis of alopecia areata for at least 6 months, but no more than 10 years, can undergo treatment. It is also important that the patient has at least 50% hair loss according to the SALT study. The study will be conducted by double-blind and placebo effect under controlled conditions. The main goal of the therapy is to evaluate the efficacy of JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib CPT – 453 in the treatment of alopecia areata. In addition, the safety of the drug will also be evaluated. According to an off-label study, as many as 75% of those treated with JAK inhibitors saw an improvement in hair growth, and 92% saw their hair loss problem reduced. As for the safety of the therapy, on the other hand, it is at a high level. The non-protein form of JAK inhibitors eliminates the problem of hypersensitivity to the drug and the production of autoantibodies that reduce the effectiveness of the drug. This is because it does not cause as many side effects as biological drugs. The therapy lasts for 24 weeks, and it is after this time that the benefits of this treatment method described above can be seen. A secondary goal of the study is also to determine the severity and improvement of alopecia areata by the patient himself and the doctor. Through this study, patient satisfaction with regrowing hair will also be tested.
Time and course of treatment
The treatment period is 24 weeks, but the total treatment time is 32 weeks. During the 24 weeks, a double-blind and placebo-controlled trial is conducted. After the 24-week period, any patient can opt for extended treatment already without using the placebo effect. If the patient does not wish to continue treatment, the open-label extension study can be abandoned after 24 weeks. Only a single follow-up visit 4 weeks after the end of treatment will be necessary. Its purpose will be to assess safety after treatment. In this case, the treatment duration will be 28 weeks. Patients will be divided into two groups. The first will be those suffering from partial skin hair loss, i.e. those with Salt index ≥ 50 and <95. The second group will be those who are completely hairless, with Salt index ≥ 95. The CTP-543 drug will be administered orally in tablet form. Initially, patients will appear for check-ups every 2 weeks. In the later stage of the therapy, this time will increase and it will be one visit per month. During the therapy, the care of our qualified and experienced dermatologists is free of charge. The effectiveness and safety of the therapy performed will be supervised by Dr. Osipowicz, Professor Wozniak and Dr. Turkowski, who have been involved in treating alopecia areata for years.
Conclusion
Treating alopecia areata requires expertise and the right approach. JAK inhibitors offer a promising option by addressing the root cause—immune system overactivity—and delivering real results. With a carefully monitored 24-week program, patients regain not just hair, but confidence too. Our clinic provides comprehensive care, professional oversight, and cutting-edge treatments. If you've been seeking an effective solution to alopecia areata, this could be the breakthrough you've been waiting for. Take control and explore what JAK inhibitor therapy can do for you.
