Abstract
Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Efalizumab is a T-cell-targeted therapy approved for the treatment of psoriasis. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of efalizumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe AA. Methods: Sixty-two patients were enrolled into this phase II, placebo-controlled trial. The trial consisted of three 12-week periods-a double-blind treatment period, an open-label efalizumab treatment period, and a safety follow-up. Results: There were no statistical differences between treatment groups in percent hair regrowth, quality-of-life measures, or changes in biologic markers of disease severity after 12 or 24 weeks. In both groups, there was an approximately 8% response rate for hair regrowth (at 12 weeks). Efalizumab was well tolerated. Limitations: Numbers were too small for certain analyses. Conclusion: A 3- to 6-month trial of efalizumab was not effective in promoting hair regrowth in this small cohort of patients with moderate-to-severe AA.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 395-402 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology |
Volume | 58 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2008 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Supported by Genentech, Inc.