Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors may be safe and effective for patients with alopecia areata, according to a new report published by Liu et al in JAMA Network Open. In a systematic review and meta-analysis, investigators examined data from 1,710 patients included in seven clinical trials who were randomly assigned to receive either a JAK inhibitor or placebo. The investigators found that the patients who received JAK inhibitors were more likely to experience hair regrowth as well as 50% improvements (odds ratio [OR] = 5.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.69–16.46) and 90% improvements (OR = 8.15, 95% CI = 4.42–15.03) in their Severity of Alopecia Tool scores compared with those who received placebo. Further, patients who received oral JAK inhibitors had better outcomes than those who received topically administered JAK inhibitors. The investigators also reported no statistically significant differences in treatment-related adverse events between groups. The investigators concluded that larger studies may be needed to more fully understand the benefits of JAK inhibitors in this patient population.
August 15, 2023