Safety and efficacy of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of alopecia areata: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a literature review on the safety and efficacy of JAK inhibitor medications in the management of alopecia areata. Methods: A search was carried out in the PubMed, Scielo and LILACS databases using the descriptors alopecia areata and JAK inhibitors. Thirteen articles were selected from the 287 found using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The articles analyzed show that the use of oral JAK inhibitors resulted in a significant increase in favorable therapeutic responses, compared to the control group that received placebo. In terms of therapeutic dosage, results were proportional to the duration of treatment. With regard to safety, most of the adverse events reported were mild and manageable. Conclusion: The articles raise the possibility that orally administered JAK inhibitors could be among the most effective therapies for the treatment of alopecia areata.