The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) held its Annual Meeting from March 17-21, 2023. During the meeting, stakeholders from the dermatology community connected to discuss clinical practices, research trends, and burgeoning treatments. Reporting from Medscape shared that the Late-breaker session S042 focused on the use of deuruxolitinib (CTP-543) for individuals with alopecia areata. 

Unpacking the Studies

In particular, Session S042 explored data from the Phase 3 THRIVE-AA1 and THRIVE AA-2 studies, both of which explored the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of deuruxolitinib in this patient population. 517 participants enrolled in the THRIVE AA-2 study. To enroll, participants must have moderate-to-severe alopecia areata, or hair loss of 50% or more. About 66% of participants were female. During the study, participants received either 8mg deuruxolitinib 2x daily, 12mg 2x daily, or a placebo. Findings from the study include: 

• 33% of patients responded to 8mg treatment, with 38% responding to 12mg treatment, at 24 weeks. This was highly efficacious when considering that only 1% responded to the placebo. 
• A majority of treatment responders had complete or near-complete hair growth. More than 50% of people on both treatment doses reported feeling happy with their hair growth improvement. Participants also saw eyebrow and eyelash growth. 
• Both 8mg and 12mg deuruxolitinib showed more significant treatment responses in 8 weeks than the placebo. This better response was sustained through the trial. 
• Deuruxolitinib was safe and well-tolerated. While some side effects, such as increased susceptibility to the common cold, occurred, deuruxolitinib did not have the same side effects as many other JAK inhibitors. 
• Over 90% of participants receiving deuruxolitinib continued to the open-label extension study. 

Similarly, results from the THRIVE AA-1 study showed similar benefits. 706 individuals enrolled in this study. 29.6% of participants receiving 8mg deuruxolitinib achieved SALT ≤ 20%, which means that they saw around 20% hair loss (a significant improvement). In the 12mg group, 41.5% of participants achieved this score compared to just 0.8% in the placebo group. 

What is Deuruxolitinib? 

According to drug developer Concert Pharmaceuticals, deuruxolitinib (CTP-543) is:

a deuterium-modified JAK 1/2 inhibitor. Janus kinases (JAKs) are a group of enzymes that play an important role in the immune system [and] research has shown that inhibiting JAKs can be beneficial in treating certain immune-mediated diseases.

Deuruxolitinib has been granted both Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations. 

An Overview of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss. Risk factors include having a family history of alopecia areata or having other autoimmune disorders such as diabetes or lupus. Hair loss is the major symptom of alopecia areata. However, it affects each patient in a different and unique way. Hair loss can be unpredictable; for some, the hair loss lasts throughout life and for others, hair loss only occurs in one episode. Regrowth may also be unpredictable. Alopecia areata refers to patchy hair loss, whereas alopecia totalis refers to near-complete hair loss on the scalp and alopecia universalis refers to complete or nearly-complete hair loss over the entire body. Outside of hair loss, symptoms of alopecia areata may include nail ridges or pitting, gray or white hairs, and burning or tingling near the site of the hair loss.

There is no cure for alopecia areata. Treatment options may include psoriasis treatments, topical sensitizers, corticosteroids, and Rogaine.