Brittany G. Craiglow, MD

European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2025 Congress

 in Paris, a session titled ‘The Current and Emerging Therapeutic Landscape for Treating AA in Adolescents’ was presented by Brittany G. Craiglow, MD, assistant professor, adjunct dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.

 editorial team on-site at EADV regarding takeaways from her session on 

 treatments for adolescents. She was first asked how one should approach conversations with colleagues who may be hesitant to adopt JAK inhibitors or other systemic options for younger patients.

Emerging Therapeutic Options for Alopecia Areata in Adolescents, With Brittany Craiglow, MD

“While many dermatologists are very excited about the possibilities that Jak inhibitors offer, we still see some hesitancy, I think, largely because of concern about risk,” Craiglow explained. “...I don't like to dismiss the risks of JAK inhibitors completely, but in patients with inflammatory skin disease, they really tend to be quite safe. I think this sort of goes back to a conversation with your patient and their family.”

Craiglow highlighted that, among the majority of younger patients, alopecia areata has the potential to alter their life trajectories. So when families are presented with an option to provide the possibility of normalcy, really, they may be willing to accept some level of risk.

She was also asked about ways primary care and community dermatologists can identify patients who may need referral to specialty centers for advanced care.

“I think for any patients who are not responding to sort of first-line treatments, or have moderate to severe disease at the outset, those are patients who you know one should consider referring, especially if you're not comfortable using systemic therapies,” Craiglow said. “Because the majority of patients, especially with alopecia areata, if they have more moderate disease, it's not very likely that they're going to improve with topical interlesional triamcinolone, it's really difficult in young people. I think if you're not comfortable using a JAK inhibitor or other systemic therapy, those are patients who really should be referred on so that they can get appropriate care.”

Craiglow has reported personal fees from AbbVie, Concert Pharmaceuticals, Incyte, Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi-Genzyme.

Session: The Current and Emerging Therapeutic Landscape for Treating AA in Adolescents. Presented at the 2025 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, Sept 17-20, 2025.

Videos

This EADV interview featured a discussion with Brittany Craiglow, MD, on the topic of developments in the field of alopecia areata treatment.

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

 team sat down with assistant professor adjunct dermatology Brittany Craiglow, MD, of the Yale School of Medicine, who highlighted recent positive phase 3 results of baricitnib for adolescents aged 12 - 17 with severe 

In this interview, Craiglow was asked about the study’s primary endpoints and the team’s most notable findings presented at the AAD 2025 meeting. These findings were the 36-week efficacy and safety results drawn from the adolescent cohort of BRAVE-AA-PEDS, a placebo-controlled analysis that is ongoing and assesses children ≥6 years and adolescents 12 to <18 years of age who are suffering from severe alopecia areata.

New Data on Hair Regrowth in Severe Alopecia Areata Using Baricitinib, with Brittany Craiglow, MD

“So this was a clinical trial of baricitinib for severe alopecia areata in adolescents, so patients ages 12 - 17, and the design was very similar to the adult clinical trials that led to the approval of baricitinib for severe AA back a few years ago now,” Craiglow said. “So patients had to have a SALT score of at least 50, which is 50% scalp hair loss. But it was a very severe group of patients. Their average salt score was around 90, so many of these patients had absolutely no scalp hair. Patients were randomized to either baricitinib, 4 milligrams, 2 milligrams, or placebo, and then they were followed for 36 weeks, and that's where the primary endpoint was.”

In terms of the team’s primary endpoints, Craiglow noted that they evaluated the percent of patients who attained a Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score of 20 or less, which represents 80% or more coverage with scalp hair. By the 36-week mark, Craiglow commented that a significantly higher proportion of those in the baricitinib treatment arm versus placebo were able to achieve a 50% and 90% SALT improvement.

“Patients on the 4 milligram dose, or over 40% of those patients actually met that end point, which is really exciting,” Craiglow explained. “You know, this is a population where AA is kind of hard for everybody. But I think we can all look back on our adolescents and think about what that was like, even without alopecia, and we can imagine what it might be like to be a kid navigating life without hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, etc.”

For additional information on this topic, view the full video interview posted above. To find out more from AAD 2025, view our 

The quotes used in this summary were edited for the purposes of clarity. Craiglow has reported personal fees from AbbVie, Concert Pharmaceuticals, Incyte, Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi-Genzyme.

Passeron T, Soung T, Ohyama M, et al. Baricitinib Provides Significant Hair Regrowth in Adolescents With Severe Alopecia Areata: 36-Week Efficacy and Safety Results From a Phase 3 Randomized, Controlled Trial. Presented at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology (ADA) Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. March 07-11, 2025.

Lilly's baricitinib delivered high rates of hair regrowth for adolescents with severe alopecia areata in Phase 3 BRAVE-AA-PEDS study. Eli Lilly and Company. Maerch 8, 2025. 

https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-baricitinib-delivered-high-rates-hair-regrowth

In this interview at AAD 2025, Craiglow speaks on her team’s late-breaking findings on baricitinib among adolescents with severe alopecia areata.

Panelists discuss the critical role health care providers play in raising awareness about alopecia, emphasizing strategies for effectively informing patients about the importance of early diagnosis and available treatment options.

The Role of Health Care Providers in Raising Awareness About Alopecia Areata

Video content above is prompted by the following:

Increased awareness about alopecia may lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment options. What role do health care providers play in raising awareness about alopecia?

How can health care providers effectively inform patients about importance of early treatment and treatment options?

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in raising awareness about alopecia by educating patients on the condition's early signs and potential treatment options. They can effectively inform patients by integrating discussions about alopecia into routine check-ups, utilizing educational materials, and leveraging digital platforms to reach a broader audience. Providers should emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, which can lead to more effective management of the condition. By fostering open communication and providing comprehensive information, healthcare professionals can empower patients to seek timely treatment and improve outcomes.

Panelists share practical tips for colleagues on the use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in clinical practice and provide final insights on the overall management and treatment of alopecia.

Future Directions in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

What kind of tips can you offer colleagues regarding the use of JAK inhibitors in practice?

Please share final thoughts about treatment of alopecia before we conclude today’s discussion.

JAK inhibitors have emerged as a promising therapeutic option in the management of alopecia, offering targeted treatment by modulating immune pathways. Clinicians should consider patient-specific factors, such as disease severity and comorbidities, when selecting JAK inhibitors. Monitoring for potential side effects, including infections and hematologic abnormalities, is crucial. Collaboration with dermatologists can enhance treatment outcomes. As the understanding of JAK inhibitors evolves, staying informed about emerging data and guidelines will be essential for optimizing patient care in alopecia management.

Brittany G. Craiglow, MD

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