Unlike Olumiant, a drug approved for alopecia areata in June of 2022, a new Pfizer drug known as LITFULOTM (Ritecitinib) is now available to adults AND adolescents age 12 and older. This oral treatment is a breakthrough for the younger community struggling with severe alopecia areata, as it is the first ever treatment to be approved for the age group.
Similar to Olumiant, LITFULOTM targets JAK3 proteins by inhibiting one of its domains. As a result, the protein's function in a greater immune response is down regulated, and cytokine release to call on an immune system attack is suppressed. LITFULOTM also targets a different family of protein kinases known as TEC, the result of such an interaction similarly blocking cytokine signaling to enhance a T-cell response.
Based on the ALLEGRO Phase 2b/3 clinical trial, the testing results for LITFULOTM seem promising for cases of severe alopecia (50% or more hair loss, as measured by the SALT tool). 23% of patients with the treatment (50 mg dose) saw 80% or more scalp hair regeneration, while only 1.6% saw growth with the placebo over a time frame of six months. No differences were seen in the efficacy or safety of the procedure across age groups, a notable gain for younger individuals struggling with the disease.
The implications of this treatment are positive for patients with severe alopecia areata and are being looked into for other autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis (IBD). To understand more about the treatment, click here to read more.
Sources
Commissioner, O. of the. (2022, June 13).
FDA approves first systemic treatment for alopecia areata. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-systemic-treatment-alopecia-areata
Pfizer. (2023, June 23).
Article. FDA Approves Pfizer’s LITFULOTM (Ritlecitinib) for Adults and Adolescents With Severe Alopecia Areata. https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/fda-approves-pfizers-litfulotm-ritlecitinib-adults-and
Comments