Support is increasing for the use of Tofacitinib, a small molecule selective Janus kinase 1/3 inhibitor, for alopecia areata. A retrospective study of long-term treatment with tofacitinib (with or without adjuvant Prednisolone in 90 adults with severe alopecia areata (at least 40 percent scalp hair loss, alopecia totalis, or alopecia universalis) found that over one-half of the 65 patients with a duration of the current disease episode of ≤10 years achieved greater than 50 percent improvement in the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score, without serious adverse effects. Although these findings suggest the benefit of tofacitinib for alopecia areata, controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy and safety. References Walsh P, Aeling JL, Huff L, Weston WL.
Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression by superpotent topical steroids. J Am Acad Dermatol 1993; 29:501. Craiglow BG,…
