Apremilast for extensive and treatment-resistant alopecia areata: a retrospective analysis of five patients

Résumé 0

Background: Recent experimental data suggest a role for apremilast in the treatment of alopecia areata. Small clinical studies have so far provided contradictory results. Objectives: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of apremilast in five cases of extensive and treatment-resistant alopecia areata. Materials and Methods: Apremilast was given at a dose of 30 mg, twice daily, over six months. The efficacy of apremilast treatment was determined by monthly assessment of the affected scalp surface area using SALT scoring. Results: In four out of five patients, no sustained improvement in SALT score was observed within the treatment period. Two of these patients had a slight but only transient improvement after two months of treatment. One patient responded to apremilast treatment with a progressive and marked improvement, as reflected by an 83% reduction in SALT score. Conclusion: Our results are in line with the varying treatment responses in previous studies. Future studies on the efficacy of apremilast treatment in confirmed alopecia areata patient groups are warranted.