Upadacitinib Lifts Severe Alopecia Regrowth to 55% in 2 Phase 3 Trials
Updated
Updated · Medical Dialogues · Aug 24
Upadacitinib Lifts Severe Alopecia Regrowth to 55% in 2 Phase 3 Trials
3 articles · Updated · Medical Dialogues · Aug 24
Summary
Two phase 3 trials in JAMA Dermatology found once-daily upadacitinib helped 44.6%-55.0% of severe alopecia areata patients reach at least 80% scalp hair coverage by week 24, versus 1.5%-3.4% on placebo.
The benefit was seen with both 15 mg and 30 mg doses across 1,399 participants aged 12 to 64, including adolescents, a group with only one approved systemic treatment option.
Responses appeared as early as weeks 4, 8 and 12, with added gains in eyebrow and eyelash hair, complete scalp regrowth rates, quality of life and patients' own severity ratings.
Safety remained a key trade-off: serious adverse events occurred in 1.6% on 15 mg and 2.3% on 30 mg, compared with 0.4% on placebo; common side effects included upper respiratory infection, acne and nasopharyngitis.