Growing Back One’s Hair Possible With Arthritis Drug That Holds Promising Solution Against Alopecia

In searching for a novel treatment for alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder where patients endure significant hair loss, experts found new success by repurposing a commonly used arthritis drug. A promising portion of trial participants was able to regrow hair following regular doses of the prescribed arthritis medication, offering new hope for improved treatments for the condition.

Arthritis Drug Shows Promise Results as Alopecia Treatment

(Photo: Photo by Brett Sayles:)

Experts from Yale University have been exploring the potential of a commonly used rheumatoid arthritis drug known as baricitinib as a solution for alopecia. Working from the hypothesis that autoimmune treatments could interrupt the cytokine signaling which harms the patient's hair follicles. The team's latest trials involved roughly 1,200 participants with severe alopecia areata, who, as a result, lost at least half of their hair.

In the study published in the journal The New England Journal of Medicine, titled "Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata," participants were given daily doses of the drug for 36 weeks, with the cohort split into groups receiving four milligrams, two milligrams, or a placebo of baricitinib. Among the groups that received larger doses, one-third of the participants were able to grow back their hair.

Dr. Brett King, the lead researcher, says that the study proved to be exciting, adding that the data demonstrated the effectiveness of baricitinib. Where large, controlled trials show that it is possible to alleviate some of the suffering from alopecia areata.

With the promising results, the team is optimistic about the prospects of the arthritis drug progressing from Phase 3 trials to FDA-approved treatments for alopecia aerate. However, there are some ways to go before this is achieved. The clinical trials are ongoing as the team works to ascertain the drug's effectiveness and safety for long-term treatments. Nonetheless, the signs are promising, reports NewAtlas.

King explains that alopecia areata is an unfathomable journey marked by confusion, chaos, and profound sadness for many diagnosed with the disorder. It will be incredible to have treatments for people emerge on the other side, with normalcy restored, and to be able to recognize themselves again.

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Baldness Solutions in Modern Medicine

Despite male-pattern baldness not being a life-threatening condition, it does have significant negative impacts on a person's psychological wellbeing.
Recently, researchers discovered a novel medicine after discovering connective tissues let off hormones that help cells develop. Upon examination, stem cells could be activated to increase the size of hair follicles.

In a recent study, after 16 weeks of receiving doses of the novel drug, half of the participants had significant increases in hair count and follicle diameter.

Whether solving alopecia via repurposed medicine or utilizing stem cells to mediate male-pattern baldness, there are a long ways to go before the treatments can be handed out to the general public. However, the breakthroughs conceived should hasten the process and give new hope to people struggling with baldness, alopecia, and other disorders.