Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss, which in Spain affects more than 8,000 people. In 80% of cases it appears before the age of 40 and in 20% before the age of 18, and the earlier it appears, the worse the patient’s prognosis.
Although it is the second most common form of alopecia, after androgenic alopecia or common baldness, 70% of Spaniards are unaware of this condition, according to the survey ‘Alopecia areata in Spain: knowledge and perception of the disease’ promoted by Pfizer . This pharmaceutical company has now announced that Litfulo® (ritlecitinib), the first and only approved treatment for severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age, is now available in Spain.
Litfulo comes in 50 milligram capsules that are administered daily and has a unique mechanism of action that reduces the activity of parts of the immune system involved in the inflammatory response that causes alopecia areata. The medication is indicated for severe alopecia areata, requires a prescription and will only be dispensed in hospitals.
Its effectiveness and safety have been proven in the ALLEGRO phase 2b/3 clinical trial, in which six Spanish hospitals participated. The results showed that 50% of the participants responded well to the treatment and recovered up to 80% of their scalp hair between 2-3 months and 9 months of treatment. In another 25% of participants the improvements observed were more modest.
Emotional impact of alopecia areata
“Alopecia areata is a visible disease that physically and emotionally affects those who suffer from it. In the case of children and adolescents, they have to face hair loss in a stage full of constant changes. For this reason, the availability of this new treatment is so important for them, since it will allow them to recover their lost hair, improving their self-esteem and quality of life,” stated Dr. Raúl de Lucas, head of the Pediatric Dermatology section at the La Paz University Hospital in Madrid.
According to the aforementioned survey, only 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 about alopecia areata in young people.
“These figures show that there is still much to do to make visible the reality of a disease that, according to a recent study, has 4,810 prevalent cases and 3,803 incident cases. This type of alopecia affects both men and women, and can manifest at any age. Its very visible consequences cause a detriment to the quality of life of patients, which is why clinical advances in this field are so important as they serve to provide options that allow improving the approach to the pathology,” explained Dr. Sergio Vañó. , dermatologist and director of the Alopecia Unit at the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid.
Alopecia areata can cause hair loss on the scalp, face (eyebrows, eyelashes, nose hair, and beard), and other parts of the body. In addition, patients may present additional symptoms such as a runny nose, frequent sneezing, eye irritation, sensitivity to temperature changes and sunburn, as well as brittle nails.
48% of adolescents with alopecia areata feel embarrassed by their hair loss, 59% say they have felt that others were talking about him or her, and 52% acknowledge that this condition has limited their activities.
Added to these physical symptoms are emotional ones, which have a great impact on the quality of life of patients. Various studies indicate that people with alopecia areata are between 30-38% more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, and in the case of adolescents, 48% feel embarrassed by their hair loss, 59% claim to have felt that others talked about him or her, and 52% recognize that this condition has limited their activities.
In this context, Concepción Botillo, patient and president of the Alopecia Madrid Association, emphasizes: “Alopecia areata represents a significant emotional challenge for those who suffer from it, especially for younger patients. For these, the diagnosis comes at a time of change, where image and self-esteem are affected. This combination can have an impact on self-image and confidence, something to which is added the misunderstanding and social ignorance that, to this day, still exists. For this reason, I believe it is vital to understand that behind every strand of lost hair, there is a torrent of emotions that deserve to be recognized and supported.”
“The arrival of this treatment is a milestone for adolescents with this pathology, since it addresses a hitherto unmet need, offering a therapeutic alternative. As a company, we are very proud of this breakthrough in the treatment of alopecia areata. This innovation is based on the commitment that we have at Pfizer with patients to find solutions that improve their daily lives and their reality,” concludes José Chaves, Medical Director of Pfizer Spain.
Source: Pfizer
