Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2026 Jun 6. doi: 10.1007/s13555-026-01808-9. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: In June 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ritlecitinib (50 mg once daily) for treatment of severe alopecia areata (AA) in patients ≥ 12 years. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of patients prescribed ritlecitinib within the first 10 months following approval.
METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed data from the Komodo Healthcare Map® (Komodo) and OMNY Health Foundation databases. Patients were aged ≥ 12 years with ≥ 1 ritlecitinib prescription on or after June 23, 2023, ≥ 1 AA diagnoses on or before index date (first prescription date), and ≥ 12 months of continuous enrollment before study entry. Two cohorts were assessed: patients with Komodo data (cohort 1) and linked Komodo and OMNY data (cohort 2). Clinical characteristics and AA treatment history were assessed over the 12-month pre-index period and stratified by age (12-17 and ≥ 18 years).
RESULTS: Cohort 1 included 2562 patients; of these, 61.8% were prescribed ritlecitinib by a dermatologist, 58.9% were female, and 35.2% were adolescents. Approximately 24% had alopecia totalis/alopecia universalis as the closest diagnosis prior to index, 12.4% had ≥ 1 other autoimmune disorder, 23.9% had ≥ 1 atopic disorder, and 23.7% had ≥ 1 diagnosis of a mental health condition captured. In cohort 1 during the 12 months before index date, 26.6% of patients received no AA treatments, 31.9% received systemic immunomodulators, and 31.3% received injectable corticosteroids. Cohort 2 included 381 patients; of those in cohort 2 with reported disease location, hair loss primarily occurred on the scalp (90.5%) and face (43.2%). In cohort 2, 77.2% of patients with a scalp hair loss (SHL) assessment had ≥ 50% SHL.
CONCLUSIONS: In the first 10 months following US approval, ritlecitinib was prescribed to a broad range of patients, including those with and without prior treatments and comorbidities. This suggests that ritlecitinib may provide new opportunities to engage or re-engage patients in AA-directed care.
PMID:42250189 | DOI:10.1007/s13555-026-01808-9
