Systemic Tofacitinib Treatment in Pediatric Patients with Resistant Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) significantly impacts mental health and quality of life in children. While current treatments often offer limited efficacy, noticeable remission occurs in responsive cases. Recent advancements in understanding AA’s pathogenesis have sparked hope for Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors as potential treatments. However, studies on this promising avenue remain limited. Our retrospective evaluation of pediatric patients treated with systemic tofacitinib for alopecia showed significant improvements, notably at the 12-month mark, with only one patient experiencing an upper respiratory infection as a side effect. Nevertheless, our study’s retrospective design and small patient cohort highlight limitations. Larger randomized studies are crucial to comprehensively explore the efficacy and potential of JAK inhibitors in pediatric AA treatment.