First treatment in Spain for severe alopecia areata

Compilation
Pfizer today announced availability in Spain ritlecitinib (Litfulo), the first and only treatment indicated for severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents over the age of 12 years, addressing a previously unmet need for treatment in minor patients. This new treatment is unique mechanism of actionis an irreversible inhibitor of three Janus kinase enzymes and a family of kinases expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (TEC), which reduces the activity of parts of the immune system involved in the inflammatory response, leading to alopecia areata.

This type of alopecia is autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles at the roots of the hair, thereby causing hair loss.

Significantly more patients experienced hair growth on 90% (SALT<10) and 80% (SALT<20) of the scalp after 24 weeks.

The availability of this drug for oral and daily use is based on its effectiveness demonstrated in Allegro phase 2b/3 clinical trial involving 6 Spanish hospitals. This suggests that a significantly higher proportion of patients achieved 90% (SALT ≤10) and 80% (SALT ≤20) scalp hair growth after 24 weeks. treatment with ritlecitinib 50 mg versus placebo, also consistent with results in adolescents from 12 to 18 years old. Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C) responsiveness was also measured at week 24, with 49.2% of participants reporting responsiveness; “moderately improved” or “very improved” his alopecia areata, before 9.2% with placebo.

29% of patients with abnormal eyebrows at baseline saw improvement at 24 weeks, and 44% achieved improvement at 48 weeks.

Regarding hair loss on the eyebrows and eyelashes, improvements in the reappearance of eyebrows were observed with the use of this drug, since 29% of patients with abnormal eyebrows at baseline saw improvement at 24 weeks, and 44% achieved improvement at 48 weeks. On tabs 28.9% of patients achieved improvement in their repair at 24 weeks and 40% at 48 weeks.

“Alopecia areata is a visible condition that affects patients physically and emotionally. In the case of children and adolescents, they have to face the onset of the disease when they have not yet reached adulthood. All this means is that they live with hair loss in a stage marked by constant changes. “For this reason, the availability of this new treatment is so important for minor patients, as they will be able to restore lost hair, improving their self-esteem and quality of life.”comments Dr. Raoul de LucasHead of the Department of Pediatric Dermatology at the University Hospital of La Paz (Madrid).

Only 2.83% of Spaniards believe that this disease can affect adolescents between 12 and 18 years old.

According to the survey, only one 2.83% of Spaniards believe that this disease can affect adolescents between 12 and 18 years old.which demonstrates the confusion that exists in society regarding alopecia areata in children and adolescents.

“These figures show that much remains to be done to make visible the reality of the disease, which, according to a recent study, has 4,810 common cases and 3,803 common cases. This type of alopecia affects both men and women and can occur at any age. Its highly visible consequences are detrimental to patients’ quality of life, which is why clinical advances in this area are so important as they serve to provide options to improve the approach to pathology.”Explain Dr. Sergio Vagnodermatologist and director of the alopecia department at the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital (Madrid).