Double Benefit: Alopecia Universalis and Psoriasis Respond to Tofacitinib

A patient with psoriasis had complete regrowth.

Tofacitinib is an FDA-approved compound for use in selected patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This agent has effects on T-cells, including interleukin (IL)-15, which has been demonstrated to be increased in lesional skin of psoriasis as well as in the outer root sheath in a mouse model of alopecia areata.

These authors encountered a patient with long-standing alopecia universalis and psoriasis. The psoriasis had failed to fully respond to topical corticosteroids and subcutaneous adalimumab. Hoping to address both diseases, they tried tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily initially, raised to 10 mg each morning and 5 mg each evening). The initial dose is that approved for rheumatoid arthritis, but in psoriasis studies, the dose is three times as hi…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)