deuruxolitinib in the treatment of alopecia areata

Deuruxolitinib s an oral, small-molecule, ATP-competitive reversible inhibitor of Janus Kinase 1 (JAK1) and Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2)

• primary therapeutic mechanism in severe alopecia areata relies on interrupting the IL-15 and IFN-γ mediated feedback loops that drive autoimmune CD8+ NKG2D+ T-cell attack against the hair follicle
  • by blocking JAK1 and JAK2 pathways, it reduces the immune system's inflammatory attack on hair follicles, permitting hair regrowth
• evidence from the THRIVE-AA1 trial showed that treatment with deuruxolitinib resulted in significant scalp hair growth as early as 8 weeks, which continued throughout the 24-week study period (1)
  • deuruxolitinib was generally well tolerated
    • most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild or moderate, consistent with other oral JAK inhibitors

NICE state that (2)

• deuruxolitinib can be used, within its marketing authorisation, as an option to treat severe alopecia areata in adults
• use the least expensive option of the suitable treatments (including deuruxolitinib and ritlecitinib), having discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the available treatments with the person with the conditio

Reference:

1. King B et al. Efficacy and safety of deuruxolitinib, an oral selective Janus kinase inhibitor, in adults with alopecia areata: Results from the Phase 3 randomized, controlled trial (THRIVE-AA1). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024 Nov;91(5):880-888.
2. NICE (July 2026). Deuruxolitinib for treating severe alopecia areata.