Hair Loss From Alopecia Areata
Dr. U explains that in alopecia areata the immune system attacks the hair follicles by dispatching T-cells. This dynamic occurs through a two-way chemical signaling between the T-cells and the hair follicles.
The follicles release a chemical that attracts the T-cells, causing them to swarm around the base of these structures. And the T-cells release their own chemical signaling which further reinforces this two-way communication.
The attacks from the T-cells causes the follicles to become dormant, rather than completely losing their ability to grow new hair.
In some people, the missing areas of hair occur as isolated patches. Others may experience complete hair loss, on the head and even the body.
So far, cortisone injections are administered to those with patchy forms of Alopecia areata. However, they are painful. Plus the need to administer this treatment on a regular basis can be inconvenient for many people. For those with severe hair loss, regular injections would not be a feasible approach.
JAX inhibitor Ruxolitinib in alopecia areata treatment: The JAX Inhibitor Drugs
Dr. Angela Christiano, a genetics researcher at Columbia University, also suffers from alopecia areata herself. She decided to investigate the possibility of disrupting the chemical signals between the hair follicles and the T-cells. In a collaboration with Raphael Clynes, a physician and immunologist at Columbia University, the effects of a drug known as a JAX inhibitor was studied. It works by blocking certain enzymes to disrupt the chemical communication between the follicles and the T-cells.
In the first phase of their research, mice with alopecia areata were observed after the drug was administered. Two different versions of the drug were administered. The mice were able to grow back all of their hair.
JAX inhibitor Ruxolitinib in alopecia areata treatment
The researchers then decided to test the JAX inhibitor Ruxolitinib in alopecia areata treatment. Ruxilitinib is in use for treatment of bone marrow diseases in humans. It is the more expensive of the two medications. But it also has fewer side effects.
The long term use of Ruxolitinib could actually undermine the functioning of the immune system. But the researchers determined that a six month time limit was all that was needed for reversing hair loss.
Three subjects were selected for the initial phase of the trial. They each had moderate to severe forms of alopecia areata. After only four to five months of taking the drug on a twice a day basis, each one of the patients grew their hair back completely. Later the trial was extended to include 12 participants, 7 women and five men. A few of the additional patients, however, did not grow hair.
But overall the regrowth of hair was enough to create much excitement within scientific community and media. In addition to many mainstream publications like Time, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times, these findings have also been published in a journal called Nature Medicine.
However, for those who are hoping to benefit from taking Ruxolitinib for hair loss, further research is needed before it is even approved by the FDA. Researchers need to be able to identify possible long term risks in healthy subjects.
Since doctors are allowed to write off-label prescriptions at their own discretion, some physicians are considering the possibility of using the drug to help treat patients who understand the potential for risks, but have no other form of treatment available to them. Dosages, of course, would have to be kept at extremely conservative levels.
The Potential Hazards of Prescription Drugs
According to George Cotserelis a professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, the intake of oral ruxolitinib can cause infections and have toxic effects on the liver, blood and other parts of the body.
Dr. U who also educates patients about the risk of systemic drugs, says that the active chemical compound within medications migrate to all parts of the body, not just the treatment area. While the targeted area may benefit, other tissues may experience adverse reactions.
This is why all prescription drugs are associated with a list of unwanted side effects. Therefore, Dr. U highly advises individuals to weigh the potential risks against the benefits and consider less dangerous options for treatment whenever possible. But in Dr Christiano’s study a possible role has been established for the JAX inhibitor Ruxolitinib in alopecia areata treatment.