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News
The JAK inhibitor ritlecitinib delivers faster and stronger hair regrowth in alopecia areata patients who start treatment with less scalp hair loss, according to 5-year data from the ALLEGRO-LT trial. Patients with 25–50% baseline hair loss saw the best outcomes, while those with near-total hair loss had more modest results. The drug's long-term safety profile remained consistent with no new concerns.
New 5-year data from the ALLEGRO-LT phase 3 trial reveal that the JAK inhibitor ritlecitinib (Litfulo) is most effective in alopecia areata patients who begin treatment with less severe scalp hair loss. Patients with 25–50% baseline hair loss achieved the fastest and greatest hair regrowth, while those with near-total hair loss (95–100%) saw more modest — but still meaningful — improvements. Responses largely plateaued after 12 months of treatment.
Presented at the EADV 2026 Congress in Vienna, the findings challenge the traditional clinical threshold of reserving JAK inhibitors for patients with 50–100% hair loss, suggesting earlier intervention may yield better outcomes.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These long-term results support earlier use of ritlecitinib in alopecia areata and reinforce its favorable safety profile over 5 years, giving clinicians stronger evidence to guide treatment decisions across the full spectrum of disease severity.
