A daily oral medication primarily used to treat arthritis and Crohn's disease has demonstrated the potential to reverse hair loss in patients suffering from alopecia areata. According to a US study, over half of previously bald participants achieved substantial hair regrowth within six months of taking upadacitinib.
The drug functions by inhibiting the immune system's attack on hair follicles, which is the underlying cause of hair loss in alopecia areata. This autoimmune disorder can affect individuals of any age and impacts approximately 400,000 people in the UK. While the condition can manifest as patchy hair loss, some individuals experience complete body hair loss rapidly.
Recent findings are based on two international clinical trials involving nearly 1,400 patients aged 12 to 64 with severe alopecia areata. The participants had experienced hair loss for up to eight years without spontaneous regrowth in the preceding six months. Patients were administered either 15mg or 30mg of upadacitinib daily, or a placebo. After 24 weeks, approximately 45% of those on the lower dose and 55% on the higher dose showed at least 80% hair coverage on their scalp, a stark contrast to the 3.4% who received a placebo.
Many patients observed noticeable changes within two months of starting treatment. Around 20% of those taking the higher dose achieved complete hair regrowth after six months. Beyond scalp hair, improvements in eyebrow and eyelash growth were also reported, along with a better quality of life for some participants.
Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, professor of dermatology and lead author of the study, noted that alopecia areata carries a significant psychosocial burden and that existing treatments often have limited efficacy. The study concluded that upadacitinib could be a viable therapeutic option for adults and adolescents experiencing severe alopecia areata.
The most frequently reported side effects included acne, upper respiratory infections, and cold-like symptoms. However, the trials did not reveal any new safety concerns. Upadacitinib belongs to a class of drugs known as JAK inhibitors, which also includes baricitinib, another medication already approved in the UK for alopecia areata treatment.
Alopecia is a broad term encompassing various types of hair loss, with alopecia areata being an autoimmune condition. While the exact triggers remain unknown, potential factors include previous infections and stress, though these links may be coincidental. The condition has also been associated with thyroid disease, vitiligo, and type 1 diabetes. Current treatments do not offer a cure, and while spontaneous regrowth is common for many, those with extensive hair loss have a lower chance of full recovery without intervention.