Price VH, Hordinsky MK, Olsen EA, Roberts JL, Siegfried EC, Rafal ES, Korman NJ, Altrabulsi B, Leung HM, Garovoy MR, Caro I, Whiting DA. Subcutaneous efalizumab is not effective in the treatment of alopecia areata.
J Am Acad Dermatol 2008;
58:395-402. [PMID:
18280336 DOI:
10.1016/j.jaad.2007.10.645]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2007] [Revised: 10/12/2007] [Accepted: 10/31/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Efalizumab is a T-cell-targeted therapy approved for the treatment of psoriasis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and safety of efalizumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe AA.
METHODS
Sixty-two patients were enrolled into this phase II, placebo-controlled trial. The trial consisted of three 12-week periods-a double-blind treatment period, an open-label efalizumab treatment period, and a safety follow-up.
RESULTS
There were no statistical differences between treatment groups in percent hair regrowth, quality-of-life measures, or changes in biologic markers of disease severity after 12 or 24 weeks. In both groups, there was an approximately 8% response rate for hair regrowth (at 12 weeks). Efalizumab was well tolerated.
LIMITATIONS
Numbers were too small for certain analyses.
CONCLUSION
A 3- to 6-month trial of efalizumab was not effective in promoting hair regrowth in this small cohort of patients with moderate-to-severe AA.
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