Treatment Challenges in Alopecia Areata: Insights From a Case of Baricitinib Therapy Failure

Cureus. 2024 Jun 25;16(6):e63120. doi: 10.7759/cureus.63120. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) has long been considered a challenging clinical condition, with dermatologists traditionally employing corticosteroids and immunosuppressants in search of effective solutions. The introduction of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), specifically the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of baricitinib, marked a significant breakthrough in the treatment of AA. Clinical trials have shown promising results with baricitinib, and reports of relapse after initial success are scarce. We present a unique case of a 30-year-old male with severe patch-type AA who initially responded well to baricitinib treatment but later experienced a relapse despite continued treatment.

Keywords: alopecia; alopecia areata; baricitinib; clinical case; hair loss.

Publication types

  • Case Reports