Aim to alleviate alopecia areata with newly available agents

The autoimmune, chronic hair loss known as alopecia areata (AA) is traditionally treated with anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant agents, particularly intralesional, topical or systemic corticosteroids. Their long-term adverse drug events (ADEs) and only moderate efficacy have left many AA-affected patients with few therapy options. The recent approval of the janus kinase inhibitors (JAKIs) baricitinib and ritlecitinib, and a promising pipeline of other JAKIs, monoclonal antibodies and more targeted immune modulators, may alter standard treatment protocols. Clearer understanding of their ADEs, which are the subject of some ongoing trials, is needed.