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This case aims to illustrate the development of alopecia areata during TNF-α inhibitor therapy and subsequent improvement with JAK1 inhibition.

May 8, 2026Open Access

Progressive alopecia areata during TNF-α inhibition with intralesional corticosteroid failure and subsequent improvement following JAK1 inhibition

Key Points

This case aims to illustrate the development of alopecia areata during TNF-α inhibitor therapy and subsequent improvement with JAK1 inhibition.
Reported case of a 55-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and progressive alopecia areata.
Patient received serial intralesional corticosteroids and TNF-α inhibitors over 14 months with worsening SALT score.
Initiated and escalated treatment with selective JAK1 inhibitor upadacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis management.
Hair regrowth observed within six weeks of starting JAK1 inhibition.
SALT score improved from approximately 50 to 15 by three months after initiating JAK1 treatment.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To report a case of AA developing during golimumab and leflunomide treatment for seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, with subsequent improvement following initiation of selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibition. METHODS: A 55-year-old woman developed progressive, non-scarring alopecia while rheumatoid arthritis disease activity remained well controlled. Clinical and trichoscopic findings were consistent with AA, and laboratory investigations were unremarkable. The patient received serial intralesional triamcinolone at approximately 4-8 week intervals over a 14-month period, with progression in Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score from approximately 20 to 50. Alopecia developed and progressed despite ongoing TNF-α inhibitor therapy and serial intralesional corticosteroids. Upadacitinib was initiated for rheumatoid arthritis management and escalated from 15 mg to 30 mg. RESULTS: Hair regrowth was observed within six weeks, with SALT improving to approximately 15 by three months. CONCLUSIONS: Although spontaneous remission and delayed corticosteroid effects cannot be excluded, the timing and magnitude of improvement support a temporal association with JAK1 inhibition. This case highlights a pragmatic therapeutic consideration when alopecia arises during TNF-α inhibitor therapy.

Progressive alopecia areata during TNF-α inhibition with intralesional corticosteroid failure and subsequent improvement following JAK1 inhibition

Key Points

Abstract

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