Yale University scientists have found that a commonly used drug could treat alopecia. Baricitinib, a rheumatoid arthritis drug, induced hair growth in some trial participants with alopecia. The team titled the study Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata.
For the study, the researchers included 1200 volunteers with severe Alopecia Areata that had lost about half of their hair. They split them into three groups. The groups received 2mg, 4mg or a placebo once a day for 36 weeks. Findings indicated that one-third of the participants who got a 4mg dose grew their hair back.
According to the lead study author, Dr Brett King, the study helped the team prove that Baricitinib was effective in patients with alopecia. It demonstrates that the drug could alleviate the burden of the disease.
The team hopes to get FDA approval
Since the results were positive, the team believes that it could eventually get approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recommend the drug to patients with alopecia. Until then, the team is conducting other Phase III trials to assess the effectiveness of using Baricitinib in the long run.
According to the researchers, the drug worked by interrupting the communication between immune cells that impact hair follicles in alopecia patients. The drug is a JAK inhibitor which physicians prescribe for alopecia. If it receives approval, it would be the only FDA-approved drug for the disease.
Alopecia affects millions of people worldwide. It causes them to experience hair loss which could eventually affect their self-esteem. For this reason, it is essential to find a treatment that could help them regain their sense of normalcy.
Scientists find a solution for baldness in men
Another issue that causes hair loss is male-patented baldness. While the disease doesn’t significantly impact health, like alopecia, it could damage the patient’s self-esteem. Fortunately, scientists might have found a solution to it.
The team administered a novel drug to patients for 16 weeks. They found that the volunteers had increased follicular development and hair count after this duration. Researchers developed this drug after realising that connective tissues in the scalp produce hormones that encourage cell growth. They realised that they could use the therapy to activate stem cells to increase the size of hair follicles.
