Ruxolitinib (Jakafi) promotes hair regrowth in a patient with alopecia areata

More data pointing to benefits of Ruxolitinib

I've shared my thoughts as well as previous data on these new so called JAK inhibitors (Ruxolitinib and Tofacitinib) in the treatment of alopecia areata. 

I was interested to read this morning a study showing benefit of ruxolitinib at a dose of 20 mg twice daily in a 35 year old man with two autoimmune diseases - vitiligo and alopecia areata. Hair growth started after 4 weeks and was quite significant by 3 months. 

Ruxolitinib is an oral medication that is FDA approved for treatment of bone marrow cancer known as myelofibrosis.  The drug inhibits a pathway within cells known as the JANUS KINASE pathway and ruxolitinib specifically inhibits Jak 1 and Jak2. Tofacitinib, which is closely related compound and also benefits some patients with alopecia areata, is an inhibitor of Jak 1 and Jak 3.

Conclusion

I'm closely following the JAK story and ruxolitinib. I have been using tofacitinib (Xeljanz) for a while now but will continue to follow the ruxolitinib data and the clinical trials that are underway. 

REFERENCE

Harris JE et al. Rapid skin repigmentation on oral ruxolitinib in  a patient with coexistent vitiligo and alopecia areata (AA). Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Feb 2016.