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Guo HW, Ye ZM, Chen SQ, McElwee KJ. Innovative strategies for the discovery of new drugs against alopecia areata: taking aim at the immune system. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024:1-18. [PMID: 39360759 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2409660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The autoimmune hair loss condition alopecia areata (AA) exacts a substantial psychological and socioeconomic toll on patients. Biotechnology companies, dermatology clinics, and research institutions are dedicated to understanding AA pathogenesis and developing new therapeutic approaches. Despite recent efforts, many knowledge gaps persist, and multiple treatment development avenues remain unexplored. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes key AA disease mechanisms, current therapeutic methods, and emerging treatments, including Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors. The authors determine that innovative drug discovery strategies for AA are still needed due to continued unmet medical needs and the limited efficacy of current and emerging therapeutics. For prospective AA treatment developers, the authors identify the pre-clinical disease models available, their advantages, and limitations. Further, they outline treatment development opportunities that remain largely unmapped. EXPERT OPINION While recent advancements in AA therapeutics are promising, challenges remain, including the lack of consistent treatment efficacy, long-term use and safety issues, drug costs, and patient compliance. Future drug development research should focus on patient stratification utilizing robust biomarkers of AA disease activity and improved quantification of treatment response. Investigating superior modes of drug application and developing combination therapies may further improve outcomes. Spirited innovation will be needed to advance more effective treatments for AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Wei Guo
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Ye
- Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Si-Qi Chen
- Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Kevin J McElwee
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Skin Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
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Zhao Y, Guo F, Guo M. Thyroid Dysfunction and Alopecia Areata: A Genetic Prediction Causality Analysis Study. Skin Res Technol 2024; 30:e70063. [PMID: 39331482 PMCID: PMC11430218 DOI: 10.1111/srt.70063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational studies have suggested a correlation between alopecia areata (AA) and thyroid dysfunction (TD). However, the causal relationship between AA and TD remains uncertain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between these two conditions. Understanding the potential causal relationship between AA and TD is valuable for elucidating the pathogenesis of AA and for designing innovative methods to prevent and treat AA and its related complications. METHODS All data for this two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study were sourced from public databases. This study selected hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, subacute thyroiditis, and Graves' disease as exposure factors, with AA as the outcome variable. Data for hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, subacute thyroiditis, Graves' disease, and AA were obtained from related genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Various MR analysis methods such as inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median were utilized. Additionally, Cochrane's Q test was used to detect heterogeneity in MR results, and the MR-Egger intercept test and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) test were used to detect horizontal pleiotropy. A leave-one-out analysis was conducted to investigate the sensitivity of this association. RESULTS We found statistically significant genetic predictions of AA with hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and subacute thyroiditis (IVW OR = 1.4009815, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1210399-1.750829; p = 0.003030698, OR = 1.396101, 95% CI: 1.030134-1.89208; p = 0.03144273, OR = 0.732702, 95% CI: 0.604812-0.887634; p = 0.001483368). Furthermore, tests for pleiotropy showed no evidence of pleiotropy, enhancing the credibility of the study results. Finally, the leave-one-out test demonstrated the stability and robustness of this association. CONCLUSION This study provides new evidence of a potential genetic link between thyroid issues and AA. By employing the two-sample MR method to eliminate confounding factors and reverse causation, unbiased results were obtained, confirming a causal relationship between hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, and AA. This lays the foundation for further mechanistic studies and potential clinical applications. Future research should further explore the specific biological mechanisms between TD and the onset of AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhao
- Department of DermatologyHeping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical CollegeChangzhiChina
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Chau CA, Sharma D, Ungar B. Patterns of misdiagnosis in adults with alopecia areata: an analysis using the NIH's All of Us database. Int J Dermatol 2024. [PMID: 39258846 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.17484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Chau
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Divija Sharma
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin Ungar
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Chen LC, Senna MM, Aguh C. Emergence of Janus kinase inhibitors led to increase in proportion of severe alopecia areata patients receiving treatment: A retrospective cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2024; 91:579-581. [PMID: 38810935 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.05.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Chi Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts
| | - Maryanne M Senna
- Department of Dermatology, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts; Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Crystal Aguh
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Jeon JJ, Jung SW, Kim YH, Parisi R, Lee JY, Kim MH, Lee WS, Lee S. Global, regional and national epidemiology of alopecia areata: a systematic review and modelling study. Br J Dermatol 2024; 191:325-335. [PMID: 38332643 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljae058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that leads to a high psychiatric, economic and systemic disease burden. A comprehensive understanding of AA epidemiology is essential for evaluating healthcare source utilization; however, a systematic approach to summarizing epidemiological data on AA is lacking. OBJECTIVES To investigate systematically the global, regional and national incidence and prevalence of AA. METHODS A structured search was conducted using the databases MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SciELO and Korean Journal Database from their date of inception to 4 October 2023. Studies that reported the prevalence or incidence of AA were included. We used a Bayesian hierarchical linear mixed model to analyse prevalence estimates. The primary outcomes of our study were the global, regional and national prevalence of physician-diagnosed AA for the overall population, for adults and for children. The incidence data were summarized descriptively. RESULTS In total, 88 studies from 28 countries were included in the analysis. The reported incidence of AA tended to be higher in adults aged 19-50 years, and this trend was consistent with its estimated prevalence. The reported prevalence in overall populations tended to be higher in men vs. women. The estimated lifetime prevalence rate of AA was 0.10% [95% credible interval (CrI) 0.03-0.39] in the general population worldwide, 0.12% (95% CrI 0.02-0.52) in adults and 0.03% (95% CrI 0.01-0.12) in children. The estimated prevalence of AA was highest in the Asian region and lowest in the African region. CONCLUSIONS In this study, 48% of the Global Burden of Disease regions had insufficient data on the prevalence or incidence of AA. Further studies are needed to provide epidemiological information on middle- and low-income countries. Our study may serve as a crucial reference in terms of healthcare policy decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Joon Jeon
- Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Won Jung
- Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - You Hyun Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Rosa Parisi
- Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ju Yeong Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Ha Kim
- Yonsei Wonju Medical Library, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Soo Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Solam Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
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Younis N, Puigmal N, Kurdi AE, Badaoui A, Zhang D, Morales-Garay C, Saad A, Cruz D, Rahy NA, Daccache A, Huerta T, Deban C, Halawi A, Choi J, Dosta P, Guo Lian C, Artzi N, Azzi JR. Microneedle-Mediated Delivery of Immunomodulators Restores Immune Privilege in Hair Follicles and Reverses Immune-Mediated Alopecia. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312088. [PMID: 38638030 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Disorders in the regulatory arm of the adaptive immune system result in autoimmune-mediated diseases. While systemic immunosuppression is the prevailing approach to manage them, it fails to achieve long-lasting remission due to concomitant suppression of the regulatory arm and carries the risk of heightened susceptibility to infections and malignancies. Alopecia areata is a condition characterized by localized hair loss due to autoimmunity. The accessibility of the skin allows local rather than systemic intervention to avoid broad immunosuppression. It is hypothesized that the expansion of endogenous regulatory T cells (Tregs) at the site of antigen encounter can restore the immune balance and generate a long-lasting tolerogenic response. A hydrogel microneedle (MN) patch is therefore utilized for delivery of CCL22, a Treg-chemoattractant, and IL-2, a Treg survival factor to amplify them. In an immune-mediated murine model of alopecia, local bolstering of Treg numbers is shown, leading to sustained hair regrowth and attenuation of inflammatory pathways. In a humanized skin transplant mouse model, expansion of Tregs within human skin is confirmed without engendering peripheral immunosuppression. The patch offers high-loading capacity and shelf-life stability for prospective clinical translation. By harmonizing immune responses locally, the aim is to reshape the landscape of autoimmune skin disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Younis
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Núria Puigmal
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Engineering in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Abdallah El Kurdi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, 11-0236, Lebanon
| | - Andrew Badaoui
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Dongliang Zhang
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Claudia Morales-Garay
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Engineering in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Anis Saad
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Diane Cruz
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Engineering in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Nadim Al Rahy
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Andrea Daccache
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Triana Huerta
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Engineering in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Christa Deban
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ahmad Halawi
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - John Choi
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Pere Dosta
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Engineering in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Christine Guo Lian
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Natalie Artzi
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Engineering in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jamil R Azzi
- Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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7
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Clemmesen MER, Gren ST, Frøstrup AG, Thomsen SF, Egeberg A, Thein D. Psychosocial and mental impact of alopecia areata: Analysis of the Danish Skin Cohort. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024. [PMID: 38940661 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.20211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Alopecia areata (AA) carries a psychological burden for patients beyond hair loss. However, quality-of-life measurement tools such as EQ-5D used in clinical trials may not adequately capture the burden of AA, the perceived stigmatization or the psychosocial impact of AA. OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential association between disease severity and the degree of social isolation, perceived stigmatization, anxiety and depression, alcohol consumption and work absenteeism using multiple PRO measures in patients with AA. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Using the Danish Skin Cohort, the study included adult patients diagnosed with AA. The study included multiple PRO measures, including Skindex-16, EQ-5D-5L, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) and the Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale (AASIS). The questionnaires were dispatched to the patients in January 2023. The severity of AA was determined based on scalp involvement using a modified Alopecia Areata Scale. Multiple multivariate linear regressions were conducted using Skindex-16, AASIS and WPAI, while multivariate logistic regressions were applied to HADS, AUDIT-C and EQ-5D-5L. RESULTS A total of 376 patients were included, of which 177 (47%) had severe disease, 41 (11%) had moderate disease, 94 (25%) had mild disease, and 64 (17%) were in remission. The median age of patients was 55 (IQR, 47-66 years) and most were female (70%). Skindex-16 and AASIS were the only PRO measures able to distinguish between severity. For these scores, moderate and severe diseases, female sex, and involvement of eyebrows increased the score and negatively impacted patient quality of life. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE The results indicate the importance of using the proper tool for the intended measurement of quality of life and that factors such as the severity of AA, as well as female sex and involvement of the eyebrows, may potentially increase the psychosocial burden of AA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Simon Francis Thomsen
- Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexander Egeberg
- Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David Thein
- Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Song CJ, Riley CA, Wilkison BD, Cho S. A Review of JAK Inhibitors for Treatment of Alopecia Areata in the Military Health Care System. Mil Med 2024:usae292. [PMID: 38850223 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usae292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease that manifests as patchy hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body; severe disease may result in disfigurement, functional impairment, and significant psychological distress. This condition is understood to be caused by autoimmunity to the hair follicle and subsequent arrest of hair growth. New medications, baricitinib and ritlecitinib, belong to the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor family and are among the first FDA-approved treatments for severe AA. In this manuscript, we aim to answer the question: What treatment options exist for AA in the military health care system (MHS)? In doing so, we review the pathogenesis, physical and psychosocial impact of AA, conventional treatment of AA, and the efficacy and safety of baricitinib and ritlecitinib. METHODS A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Ovid for the history and pathogenesis of AA, psychosocial impact of disease, functional impairments, and current treatments. Keywords "alopecia areata," "current therapy for alopecia areata," "pathogenesis alopecia areata," "baricitinib," "ritlecitinib," "JAK inhibitor alopecia," "JAK inhibitor safety," "baricitinib efficacy," "alopecia eyelash," "alopecia nails," and "psychosocial impact of alopecia" were used for the search. The TRICARE manual was searched for guidelines applicable to the treatment of AA, DoD Instruction 6130.03 Volume 2 for medical standards for military service, and the U.S. Central Command Modification 15 for fitness of deployment to Central Command area of operations. RESULTS Traditional treatments such as intralesional steroids may be effective for some patients, but difficulty lies in controlling extensive or refractory disease. Janus kinase inhibitors, baricitinib and ritlecitinib, are found effective at improving severe refractory disease; baricitinib induced hair regrowth in 32.6% more patients than placebo, and ritlecitinib was found to be superior to placebo by at least 24%. Currently, there is no coverage for therapeutic treatment of hair growth in the MHS. Additionally, military members are disqualified for continued service if they require immunomodulator medications such as baricitinib and ritlecitinib. Those on immunomodulators are unable to deploy worldwide. CONCLUSIONS Baricitinib and ritlecitinib are effective treatments for widespread, progressive, and refractory AA. Although JAK inhibitors demonstrate improved effectiveness compared to non-immunomodulator treatments, their use in the MHS for this purpose is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Song
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Christopher A Riley
- Department of Medicine, Dermatology Service, Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, GA 30905, USA
| | - Bart D Wilkison
- Department of Dermatology, Lyster Army Health Clinic, Fort Novosel, AL 36362, USA
| | - Sunghun Cho
- Department of Dermatology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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Fang H, Zhang F, Lin W, Jiang Y, Liu Q, Yang D. Case report: Sequential therapy with dupilumab and baricitinib for severe alopecia areata with atopic dermatitis in children. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1395288. [PMID: 38903518 PMCID: PMC11187300 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1395288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
An 8-year-old female child presented with patchy hair loss for 1 year, accompanied by eyebrow loss for 6 months. Microscopic examination of the hair confirmed the features of active stage alopecia areata, with a Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score of 70%. The diagnosis was severe alopecia areata. The patient had a history of atopic dermatitis since infancy, with recurrent episodes of scattered papules and pruritus for 8 years. Initial treatment involved subcutaneous injections of dupilumab 300mg every 2 weeks for 6 months, resulting in a reduction of SALT score to 20% and improvement of atopic dermatitis symptoms. Discontinuation of Dupilumab and initiation of daily oral Baricitinib at a dose of 2mg for a duration of 5 months. According to the SALT score evaluation, the severity of hair loss was less than 10% and there was significant regrowth of hair. No significant adverse reactions were observed during the treatment period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Fang
- Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fengchuan Zhang
- Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjun Lin
- Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqi Jiang
- Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qingwu Liu
- Dermatology Department, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dingquan Yang
- Dermatology Department, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
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Jin X, Song X. Autophagy Dysfunction: The Kernel of Hair Loss? Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2024; 17:1165-1181. [PMID: 38800357 PMCID: PMC11122274 DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s462294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Autophagy is recognized as a crucial regulatory process, instrumental in the removal of senescent, dysfunctional, and damaged cells. Within the autophagic process, lysosomal digestion plays a critical role in the elimination of impaired organelles, thus preserving fundamental cellular metabolic functions and various biological processes. Mitophagy, a targeted autophagic process that specifically focuses on mitochondria, is essential for sustaining cellular health and energy balance. Therefore, a deep comprehension of the operational mechanisms and implications of autophagy and mitophagy is vital for disease prevention and treatment. In this context, we examine the role of autophagy and mitophagy during hair follicle cycles, closely scrutinizing their potential association with hair loss. We also conduct a thorough review of the regulatory mechanisms behind autophagy and mitophagy, highlighting their interaction with hair follicle stem cells and dermal papilla cells. In conclusion, we investigate the potential of manipulating autophagy and mitophagy pathways to develop innovative therapeutic strategies for hair loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Jin
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiuzu Song
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Shinkai K. JAMA Dermatology-The Year in Review, 2023. JAMA Dermatol 2024; 160:492-494. [PMID: 38506838 DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Kanade Shinkai
- Editor, JAMA Dermatology
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco
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12
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Sun R, Kong D. Bilateral Association Between Atopic Dermatitis® and Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Dermatitis 2024; 35:208-218. [PMID: 37471232 DOI: 10.1089/derm.2023.0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the association between atopic Dermatitis® (AD) and alopecia areata (AA). A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science from the inception of each database to November 10, 2022 for relevant studies. As there is a potential bilateral association between the 2 diseases, we assessed the prevalence/incidence of AA in patients with AD and the prevalence/incidence of AD in patients with AA. A total of 29 studies involving 11,233,448 participants were included in this analysis. AA was the exposure factor in 23 studies, AD in 7 studies, and both in 1 study. The meta-analysis revealed that the prevalence of AD was 11.2% (7.7%-15.1%) in patients with AA, and the prevalence of AA was 3.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0%-11.5%) in patients with AD. The incidence of AD in AA patients was found to vary with age (P = 0.07). Based on 7 studies, there was a significant association between AD and AA when AA was the exposure factor [odds ratio, OR, = 4.537 (95% CI: 2.409-8.544)]; based on 10 studies, there was also a significant association between AD and AA when AD was the exposure factor [OR = 2.643 (95% CI: 1.737-3.995)]. In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrated the 2-way association between AD and AA, providing a clinical reference for disease prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Sun
- From the The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Deqi Kong
- Epidemic Prevention Department, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Wuzhong District, Suzhou, China
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Sørensen SBT, George P, Jagun O, Wolk R, Napatalung L, Zwillich SH, Iversen L, Ehrenstein V. The Epidemiology of Hospital-Treated Alopecia Areata in Denmark, 1995-2016. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2024; 14:993-1006. [PMID: 38625633 PMCID: PMC11052984 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-024-01145-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune skin disease presenting as nonscarring hair loss. Information on the epidemiology of AA, especially the occurrence of AA and its subtypes within the general population, is scarce. The study aimed to estimate the incidence rates and prevalence of hospital-treated AA and its subtypes in Denmark and to examine the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with AA, including comorbidities and use of prescription medications. METHODS This was a cohort study based on data from administrative and health registers in Denmark in 1995-2016. The study included individuals who were (1) registered with a hospital inpatient or hospital-based outpatient clinic diagnosis of AA between 1995 and 2016 in the Danish National Patient Registry covering encounters at all Danish hospitals, (2) alive and resided in Denmark anytime between 1995 and 2016, (3) aged ≥ 12 years, and (4) resided uninterrupted in Denmark during the 12 months before the first AA diagnosis during the study period. RESULTS During the study period, 2778 individuals with an incident hospital-based diagnosis of AA were identified; 63.1% were female and 28.7% of the patients were aged ≥ 50 years. Over the study period, the overall incidence rate for any hospital-treated AA per 100,000 person-years was 2.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.53-2.72), and the overall prevalence in 2016 was 71.7 (95% CI 69.4-74.1) per 100,000 persons. Both incidence rate and prevalence increased over time. Prevalence of most hospital-treated comorbidities or history of medication use was below 10% and was similar in the alopecia totalis (AT)/alopecia universalis (AU) and non-AT/AU subtypes of AA. CONCLUSION This cohort study reported incidence rates and prevalence over time and characteristics of individuals with hospital-treated AA in Denmark, which are in agreement with those previously reported in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sissel Brandt Toft Sørensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Lynne Napatalung
- Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Lars Iversen
- Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark
- MC2 Therapeutics A/S, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Vera Ehrenstein
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
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14
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Ravipati A, Pradeep T, Tosti A. A cross-sectional analysis of medications used by patients reporting alopecia areata on the FDA adverse events reporting system. Int J Dermatol 2024; 63:497-502. [PMID: 38217053 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.17014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that leads to patchy, nonscarring hair loss. Its etiology remains unknown; the condition can be debilitating for patients, impacting their psychosocial wellbeing. Various triggers have been reported, ranging from genetic predisposition and infections to environmental factors. Medications have also been thought to be an inciting factor in AA. METHODS Using the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS), all cases reporting AA as an adverse event were used to capture associated medications and patient characteristics. RESULTS There were 1,331 AA cases reported as an adverse event with medication use. Monoclonal antibodies accounted for 6 out of the top 10 drugs associated with the highest number of AA cases. Males were more likely to report AA when taking adalimumab (OR: 1.79, P = 0.04) and dupilumab (OR: 2.56, P = 0.03) compared to females. Individuals between 42 and 64 years old accounted for 46.7% of AA cases. Lastly, females in older age groups showed greater odds of developing AA compared to males (OR: 1.03, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Based on the FAERS, there has been a steady rise in AA cases, and monoclonal antibodies were the most frequently cited medication class tied to AA. With a dearth of literature on triggers and patient demographics, we sought to describe features of AA cases that could increase awareness and be used to improve future clinical outcomes in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Advaitaa Ravipati
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tejus Pradeep
- Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Antonella Tosti
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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15
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Kinoshita-Ise M. Updated epidemiology of alopecia areata in Germany: the data tell a lot but hide a lot. Br J Dermatol 2024; 190:297-298. [PMID: 37950671 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
This commentary briefly introduces the outcomes of the epidemiological study in Germany with potential biases the readers need to pay attention to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misaki Kinoshita-Ise
- Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, 6-20-2, Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Wohl Y, Mashiah J, Drutin Y, Vered S, Ben-Tov A. Incidence rate of alopecia areata in Israel: A 15-year analysis of population-based data and the emergence of young male adults as the most at-risk group. J Dermatol 2024; 51:88-94. [PMID: 37950420 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.17033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Incidence rate and temporal trends in alopecia areata (AA) vary worldwide. As a common disorder with a major impact on life quality, there is a continuous need for comprehensive epidemiological characterization and global updates of the disease burden. We sought to perform an epidemiologic characterization of AA patients and to explore temporal trends across different subgroups using long-term health data. A retrospective population-based study was conducted in a large healthcare organization in Israel. Data were analyzed for all patients with AA between 2005 and 2019. A total of 30 805 patients for 29 504 798 person-years were identified during the study period, representing an overall incidence rate of 104.4 cases per 100 000 person-years. Young adults and patients of middle socioeconomic status had the highest incidence rate compared to the whole cohort. Incidence rates in females were lower than in males (incidence rate ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.71-0.74). In a temporal trends analysis, the yearly incidence rate for the whole cohort was stable throughout the study period. Males between the ages of 18 and 30 had a significant increase in incidence during the study years, where the incidence rate increased from 119.54 to 162.36 per 100 000 person-years. Despite the limitation of lack of analysis by subgroups of disease severity and other personal data, our study clearly indicates that young male adults of middle socioeconomic status emerge as the most at risk associated with AA over a decade and a half. In an effort to delineate risk factors for this gender gap, different stressors are speculated as triggers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonit Wohl
- Maccabi Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Kahn Sagol Maccabi Research and Innovation Center, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Jacob Mashiah
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Pediatric Dermatology Clinic, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yarden Drutin
- Pediatrics Department, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shiras Vered
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Amir Ben-Tov
- Kahn Sagol Maccabi Research and Innovation Center, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Pediatrics, Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
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17
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de Groen PC. A new, all-encompassing aetiology of type 1 diabetes. Immunology 2024; 171:77-91. [PMID: 37772700 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The aetiology of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is considered multifactorial with the contribution of the MHC on chromosome 6 being most important. Multiple factors also contribute to the aetiology of colorectal neoplasia, but the final event causing the change from normal mucosa to polyp and from polyp to cancer is due to a single somatic mutation event. Repeated formation of colorectal neoplasia within an at-risk population results in a predictable, tapering, exponential neoplasia distribution. Critical mutations driving colorectal neoplasia formation occur in mutation-prone DNA. These observations led to three hypotheses related to T1D. First, a single somatic mutation within the MHC of antigen presenting cells results in a change in phenotype from normal to T1D. Second, the distribution of additional autoimmune diseases (AAIDs) among persons with T1D adheres to a predictable, tapering, exponential distribution. And third, critical mutations driving development of T1D occur in mutation-prone DNA. To address the hypotheses in an orderly fashion, a new analytical method called genome-wide aetiology analysis (GWEA) consisting of nine steps is presented. All data required for GWEA of T1D are obtained from peer-reviewed publications or publicly available genome and proteome databases. Critical GWEA steps include AAID distribution among persons with T1D, analysis of at-risk HLA loci for mutation-prone DNA, determination of the role of non-MHC genes on GWAS, and verification of human data by cell culture or animal experiments. GWEA results show that distribution of AAID among persons with T1D adheres to a predictable, tapering, exponential distribution. A single, critical, somatic mutation within the epitope-binding groove of at-risk HLA loci alters HLA-insulin-peptide-T-cell-receptor (TCR) complex binding affinity and creates a new pathway that leads to loss of self-tolerance. The at-risk HLA loci, in particular binding pockets P1, P4 and P9, are encoded by mutation-prone DNA: GC-rich DNA sequence and somatic hypermutation hotspots. All other genes on GWAS can but do not have to amplify the new autoimmune pathway by facilitating DNA mutations, changing peptide binding affinity, reducing signal inhibition or augmenting signal intensity. Animal experiments agree with human studies. In conclusion, T1D is caused by a somatic mutation within the epitope-binding groove of an at-risk HLA gene that affects HLA-insulin-peptide-TCR complex binding affinity and initiates an autoimmune pathway. The nature of the peptide that binds to a mutated epitope-binding groove of an at-risk HLA gene determines the type of autoimmune disease that develops, that is, one at-risk HLA locus, multiple autoimmune diseases. Thus, T1D and AAIDs, and therefore common autoimmune diseases, share a similar somatic mutation-based aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piet C de Groen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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18
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Liu D, Xu Q, Meng X, Liu X, Liu J. Status of research on the development and regeneration of hair follicles. Int J Med Sci 2024; 21:80-94. [PMID: 38164355 PMCID: PMC10750333 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.88508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Hair loss, or alopecia, is a prevalent condition in modern society that imposes substantial mental and psychological burden on individuals. The types of hair loss, include androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and telogen effluvium; of them, androgenetic alopecia is the most common condition. Traditional treatment modalities mainly involve medical options, such as minoxidil, finasteride and surgical interventions, such as hair transplantation. However, these treatments still have many limitations. Therefore, exploring the pathogenesis of hair loss, specifically focusing on the development and regeneration of hair follicles (HFs), and developing new strategies for promoting hair regrowth are essential. Some emerging therapies for hair loss have gained prominence; these therapies include low-level laser therapy, micro needling, fractional radio frequency, platelet-rich plasma, and stem cell therapy. The aforementioned therapeutic strategies appear promising for hair loss management. In this review, we investigated the mechanisms underlying HF development and regeneration. For this, we studied the structure, development, cycle, and cellular function of HFs. In addition, we analyzed the symptoms, types, and causes of hair loss as well as its current conventional treatments. Our study provides an overview of the most effective regenerative medicine-based therapies for hair loss.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xiaomei Liu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jinyu Liu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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19
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Kazan D. Evaluating the Effect of the Demographic, Trichoscopic and Laboratory Characteristics on The Recurrence of Alopecia Areata. Dermatol Pract Concept 2024; 14:dpc.1401a68. [PMID: 38364439 PMCID: PMC10868910 DOI: 10.5826/dpc.1401a68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alopecia areata (AA) has diverse disease characteristics and multiple factors may interfere with the prognosis of the disease. OBJECTIVES In this study, the factors affecting the AA recurrence were evaluated. METHODS A total of a hundred patients diagnosed with AA between June 2022 and March 2023 were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of outbreaks. Both groups were compared in terms of age, gender, disease duration, number of outbreaks, family history of AA, previous medical treatment history for AA, clinical type, disease severity, presence of accompanying nail findings, and trichoscopic and laboratory characteristics. RESULTS Among 100 patients, male dominance was found (N = 69). Most of the patients had patchy disease (90/100), mild disease severity (88/100), and a solitary outbreak (65/100). Male gender, longer disease duration, family history, presence of S2 severity of alopecia tool score, trachyonychia, short vellus hairs in trichoscopic examination, hypothyroidism, and folic acid deficiency were factors for AA outbreaks. Male gender and the presence of a family member with AA in the family were defined as the independent prognostic factors for disease recurrence. CONCLUSIONS While demographic, laboratory, and clinical findings are factors for AA outbreaks in the follow-up, male gender and family history should be considered independent predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didem Kazan
- Kutahya Health Sciences University Evliya Celebi Education and Research Hospital, Kutahya, Turkey
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20
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Nakamura K, Kamei K, Austin J, Marwaha S, Piercy J, Anderson P, Sakaki-Yumoto M, Ohyama M. Degree of Alignment Between Japanese Patients and Physicians on Alopecia Areata Disease Severity and Treatment Satisfaction: A Real-World Survey. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2024; 14:151-167. [PMID: 38079099 PMCID: PMC10828166 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-023-01067-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by non-scarring scalp and/or body hair loss and can negatively impact patient mental health. Data are limited on the alignment of patient and physician perceptions of AA severity with each other and with Japanese Dermatological Association (JDA) guideline criteria, and of patient-physician alignment on treatment satisfaction. Therefore, we performed analyses to compare JDA severity groupings with patient-physician alignment on disease severity and to explore treatment satisfaction in AA in Japan. METHODS Data were drawn from the Adelphi AA Disease Specific Programme (DSP)™, a real-world survey of physicians and patients with AA in Japan conducted January-March 2021. Patients and physicians reported patient AA severity as mild, moderate or severe based on their subjective judgement. Patients were then categorized into five hair loss severity groups according to JDA criteria (S1-5), and patient-physician pairs were matched to assess alignment on severity and treatment satisfaction. RESULTS Subjective patient- and physician-reported disease severity generally followed JDA severity groupings. The percentage of patient-physician alignment on severity recognition was 76.3% in the overall population. In misaligned pairs, 20.2%, 14.5%, 7.3%, 25.0% and 0.0% of physicians rated disease as more severe than patients in S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5, respectively. Regarding treatment satisfaction, patient-physician alignment was 57.6% in the overall population. In S5, 46.2% of physicians reported being less satisfied than patients. Both physicians and patients cited lack of efficacy as the main reason for dissatisfaction. Of 221 patients, 39.8% and 29.9% were categorized as borderline-abnormal cases for anxiety and depression, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights previously unreported patient-physician misalignment on disease severity, level of treatment dissatisfaction and unmet needs due to the lack of effective treatment. Further study on how improvement of the misalignment between physicians and patients could increase both patient and physician satisfaction with treatment and improve the quality of life for patients with AA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Manabu Ohyama
- Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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21
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Huang J, Qian P, Tang Y, Li J, Liu F, Shi W. Effectiveness and Predictive Factors of Response to Tofacitinib Therapy in 125 Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Single-centre Real-world Retrospective Study. Acta Derm Venereol 2023; 103:adv12425. [PMID: 38112208 PMCID: PMC10753592 DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v103.12425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that greatly impacts patients' quality of life, and its management remains challenging. Tofacitinib is the first Janus kinase inhibitor to be approved for clinical use and is the most extensively studied. Several studies have demonstrated the clinical effectiveness of oral tofacitinib in treating patients with alopecia areata. However, despite being widely used in clinical practice, no prospective randomized controlled trials have been implemented and its indication criteria have not been thoroughly established. Moreover, little is known about the factors associated with response to therapy under real-world conditions. The aims of this retrospective cohort study of patients with alopecia areata treated with tofacitinib for 3 months were to assess the effectiveness of tofacitinib and to identify predictive factors of response to it. Primary outcome was the change in disease severity, as evaluated by Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) grade. A total of 125 patients with alopecia areata were included, the incidence of effectiveness was 83.2%, and 16.0% of patients achieved a result of complete remission. Total duration of alopecia areata and previous hair regrowth were independent predictors of response. Combined therapy was associated with relapse after discontinuation. No severe adverse event was observed. This study suggests that tofacitinib provides an effective treatment option for patients with alopecia areata, and that earlier intervention in the treatment of severe alopecia areata with tofacitinib may lead to better outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jundong Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hu Nan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Changsha, China.
| | - Pei Qian
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hu Nan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Changsha, China.
| | - Yan Tang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hu Nan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Changsha, China.
| | - Ji Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hu Nan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Changsha, China.
| | - Fangfen Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hu Nan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Changsha, China.
| | - Wei Shi
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hu Nan Key Laboratory of Aging Biology, Changsha, China.
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22
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Huang J, Deng S, Li J, Tang Y, Liu F, Liu Y, Rao S, Shi W. Drug Survival and Long-term Outcome of Tofacitinib in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Study. Acta Derm Venereol 2023; 103:adv13475. [PMID: 37955531 PMCID: PMC10655123 DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v103.13475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Several non-randomized clinical trials and retrospective studies have demonstrated encouraging efficacy and well-tolerated safety of tofacitinib in the treatment of alopecia areata. However, there are scarce data on a large cohort of patients with alopecia areata in long-term real-world practice. This single-centre, retrospective, observational cohort study included 126 patients with alopecia areata treated with tofacitinib between February 2021 and December 2022. The aims of this study are to evaluate drug survival, effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib for treatment of alopecia areata, and to identify potential factors influencing long-term outcomes. Median duration of treatment was 23.00 (interquartile range (IQR) 15.00, 47.25) weeks. Median all-cause survival time of 126 patients treated with tofacitinib was 44 weeks (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 36.3, 51.7), and the all-cause drug retention rate at 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 48 weeks were 90.0%, 66.4% and 42.3%, respectively. The most common reason for discontinuation was complete remission/satisfaction. A total of 80 patients treated with tofacitinib for over 6 months were included in the efficacy analysis, the overall complete response rate at 24 weeks was 33.8% (27/80). No life-threatening serious adverse events occurred. Sex is an independent risk factor in predicting patient outcomes. This real-world study confirmed the high effectiveness and acceptable safety profile of tofacitinib in alopecia areata, with a satisfactory drug survival rate, and provides supporting data for the clinical application of tofacitinib in Chinese patients with alopecia areata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jundong Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
| | - Sihan Deng
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ji Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China; Hunan key laboratory of aging biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Tang
- DDepartment of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fangfen Liu
- DDepartment of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China; Hunan key laboratory of aging biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shijia Rao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Wei Shi
- DDepartment of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Passeron T, King B, Seneschal J, Steinhoff M, Jabbari A, Ohyama M, Tobin DJ, Randhawa S, Winkler A, Telliez JB, Martin D, Lejeune A. Inhibition of T-cell activity in alopecia areata: recent developments and new directions. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1243556. [PMID: 38022501 PMCID: PMC10657858 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1243556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that has a complex underlying immunopathogenesis characterized by nonscarring hair loss ranging from small bald patches to complete loss of scalp, face, and/or body hair. Although the etiopathogenesis of AA has not yet been fully characterized, immune privilege collapse at the hair follicle (HF) followed by T-cell receptor recognition of exposed HF autoantigens by autoreactive cytotoxic CD8+ T cells is now understood to play a central role. Few treatment options are available, with the Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2 inhibitor baricitinib (2022) and the selective JAK3/tyrosine kinase expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (TEC) inhibitor ritlecitinib (2023) being the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved systemic medications thus far for severe AA. Several other treatments are used off-label with limited efficacy and/or suboptimal safety and tolerability. With an increased understanding of the T-cell-mediated autoimmune and inflammatory pathogenesis of AA, additional therapeutic pathways beyond JAK inhibition are currently under investigation for the development of AA therapies. This narrative review presents a detailed overview about the role of T cells and T-cell-signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of AA, with a focus on those pathways targeted by drugs in clinical development for the treatment of AA. A detailed summary of new drugs targeting these pathways with expert commentary on future directions for AA drug development and the importance of targeting multiple T-cell-signaling pathways is also provided in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Passeron
- University Côte d’Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nice, Department of Dermatology, Nice, France
- University Côte d’Azur, INSERM, U1065, C3M, Nice, France
| | - Brett King
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Julien Seneschal
- Department of Dermatology and Paediatric Dermatology, National Reference Centre for Rare Skin Diseases, Saint-André Hospital, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Bordeaux University, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), ImmunoConcept, UMR5164, Bordeaux, France
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali Jabbari
- Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Manabu Ohyama
- Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Desmond J. Tobin
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Lee H, Huang KP, Mostaghimi A, Choudhry NK. Treatment Patterns for Alopecia Areata in the US. JAMA Dermatol 2023; 159:1253-1257. [PMID: 37728940 PMCID: PMC10512165 DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.3109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Importance Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by hair loss ranging from patches of hair loss to more extensive forms, including alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU). There is a lack of consensus for treatment. Understanding current practice patterns could help the identification of treatment needs and development of standards of care. Objective To review treatment patterns for adults with AA in the US between 2015 and 2020. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used medicine and pharmacy claims for commercially insured individuals from the IBM MarketScan Research Database to assess adults (≥18 years) newly treated for AA between October 15, 2015, and February 28, 2020. Alopecia areata was identified based on having at least 1 diagnosis of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision code L63.x. Patients were required to have at least 365 days of continuous health plan enrollment before and after the cohort entry date. Patients were required to be free of AA diagnosis codes 365 days before the cohort entry date. Statistical analyses were conducted between 2019 and 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Main outcomes were treatment patterns for all patients with AA and subgroups of (1) patients with AT or AU and (2) those cared for by a dermatologist on the cohort entry date. Longitudinal therapy course during the first year after the diagnosis was also examined. Results The study cohort consisted of 45 483 individuals (mean [SD] age, 43.8 [14.2] years; 29 903 [65.7%] female). During the year of follow-up, 30 217 patients (66.4%) received at least 1 AA treatment. The most common treatments were intralesional (19 014 [41.8%]), topical (18 604 [40.9%]), intramuscular (17 328 [38.1%]), and oral (9378 [20.6%]) corticosteroids. Compared with patients without AT or AU, patients with AT or AU a lower frequency of intralesional steroid (359 [11.1%] vs 18 655 [44.1%], P < .001) and higher frequency of topical corticosteroid (817 [25.4%] vs 17 787 [42.1%], P < .001) use. Almost half of patients (21 489 [47.2%]) received no treatment on the day of diagnosis. By 12 months, 32 659 (71.8%) were not receiving any treatment, making no treatment the largest study group. Conclusions and Relevance In this large cohort study of commercially insured individuals, corticosteroids were the most commonly used treatment for adults with AA between 2015 and 2020. At 365 days after diagnosis, more than two-thirds of patients were no longer receiving any AA treatment. Further studies are needed to understand the reasons for the absence of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemin Lee
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Departments of Medicine and Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Kathie P. Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Arash Mostaghimi
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Niteesh K. Choudhry
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Ly S, Manjaly P, Kamal K, Shields A, Wafae B, Afzal N, Drake L, Sanchez K, Gregoire S, Zhou G, Mita C, Mostaghimi A. Comorbid Conditions Associated with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Am J Clin Dermatol 2023; 24:875-893. [PMID: 37464249 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-023-00805-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alopecia areata (AA) is a complex autoimmune condition resulting in nonscarring hair loss. In recent years, many studies have provided new evidence on comorbid diseases present in patients with AA. However, some studies have conflicting results, and analyses conducting a comprehensive approach are lacking. OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of medical comorbidities associated with AA. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies investigating medical comorbidities in AA published from inception through 1 February 2023. RESULTS We screened 3428 abstracts and titles and reviewed 345 full text articles for eligibility. Ultimately, 102 studies were analyzed, comprising 680,823 patients with AA and 72,011,041 healthy controls. Almost all included studies (100 of 102 studies) were of satisfactory to high quality (Newcastle-Ottawa scale score ≥ 4). Among patients with AA, comorbidities with the highest odds ratios (OR) compared with healthy controls and data available from more than one study included vitamin D deficiency (OR 10.13, 95% CI 4.24-24.20), systemic lupus erythematous (OR 5.53, 95% CI 3.31-9.23), vitiligo (OR 5.30, 95% CI 1.86-15.10), metabolic syndrome (OR 5.03, 95% CI 4.18-6.06), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (OR 4.31, 95% CI 2.51-7.40). AA may be a protective factor for certain disorders, for which the AA group had lower odds compared with healthy controls, such as irritable bowel syndrome (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.14-0.99) and colorectal cancer (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42-0.89). CONCLUSION These findings corroborate and contextualize the risks across comorbidities for patients with AA. Further work should be done to identify the underlying pathophysiology and understand appropriate screening criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Ly
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Priya Manjaly
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kanika Kamal
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Shields
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bruna Wafae
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Najiba Afzal
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Lara Drake
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine Sanchez
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, USA
| | - Samantha Gregoire
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Guohai Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Carol Mita
- Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arash Mostaghimi
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Ho CY, Wu CY, Chen JYF, Wu CY. Clinical and Genetic Aspects of Alopecia Areata: A Cutting Edge Review. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1362. [PMID: 37510267 PMCID: PMC10379312 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic, non-scarring, immune-mediated skin disease that affects approximately 0.5-2% of the global population. The etiology of AA is complex and involves genetic and environmental factors, with significant advancements in genetic research occurring in recent years. In addition to well-known genes such as PTPN22, CTLA4, and IL2, which have been widely supported as being associated with AA, an increasing number of specific gene-related loci have been discovered through advances in genetic research. For instance, gene analysis of microRNAs can reveal the critical role of miRNAs in regulating gene expression, aiding in the understanding of cellular and organismal functional regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, numerous studies have confirmed the existence of correlations between AA and other immune-related diseases. Examples include hyperthyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis. By understanding the interrelationships between AA and other immune diseases, we can further comprehend potential shared genetic foundations or pathogenic mechanisms among different diseases. Genetic research plays a crucial role in unraveling the pathogenesis of AA, as the identification of genetic variations associated with AA can assist in formulating more effective and targeted treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Yi Ho
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine and Post Baccalaureat Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 801, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Yen Wu
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Jeff Yi-Fu Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ying Wu
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine and Post Baccalaureat Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 801, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
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