Topical JAK inhibitors for Hair Loss

The Future of JAKs

The janus kinase pathway is a signaling pathway inside cells and continues to be explored in terms of its relevancy to hair disorders. Accumulating research suggests that blockade of this pathway with so called JAK inhibitors can benefit a number of hair loss conditions including alopecia areata. Both topical and oral JAK inhibitor have shown promise.  JAK inhibition may also be relevant to the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.   Another trial is evaluating the effect of two concentrations of ATI-502 on the regrowth of hair in a randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group, vehicle-controlled trial in a larger study of AA.  

Aclaris is a company which has secured the rights to study and develop the use JAK inhibitors for the treatment of alopecia areata (AA) as well as androgenetic alopecia (AGA). They have a number of JAK inhibitors they are studying and several are currently in clinical trials. This includes ATI-502 and ATI-501. Press releases from the company indicate that a number of studies are underway. This includes a trial to evaluate the effect of ATI-502 on the regrowth of scalp and eyebrow alopecia areata.  In addition to AA, it is interesting to note that trials are underway to evaluate the effect of ATI-502 on the regrowth in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). 

Comment

It's an exciting time for many new potential treatments in hair loss. The JAK inhibitors have already shown benefit in AA and additional studies will determine whether these agents receive approval and ultimately come to market.