How well does Litfulo(Ritlecitinib) work?

Alopecia areata is a common hair disorder characterized by localized hair loss, leading to round or semicircular bald patches on the scalp. Ritlecitinib has been marketed in China and is widely used in the treatment of alopecia areata. The drug promotes hair regrowth and reduces hair loss by regulating the immune system and stimulating hair follicle growth. The following further explores the therapeutic effects of ritlecitinib to help patients better understand the drug's mechanism of action and expected outcomes.

Therapeutic Effects of Ritlecitinib

1. Trial Design

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Trial AA-I) evaluated the efficacy and safety of ritlecitinib in subjects aged 12 years and older with scalp hair loss ≥50% due to alopecia areata, including alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU). Randomization was stratified by AT/AU status, and 46% of subjects were classified as AT/AU based on a baseline Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score of 100.

2. Setting of Trial Outcomes

Assessment of scalp hair loss was based on the SALT score.

3. Trial Results

Patients treated with 50 mg of ritlecitinib once daily showed a 23% response rate for SALT ≤20 (20% or less scalp hair loss), compared to only 1.6% in the placebo group.

Similarly, promising efficacy was also demonstrated in the SALT ≤10 response (10% or less scalp hair loss).

The trial results indicate that ritlecitinib significantly promotes hair regrowth in patients with severe alopecia areata, with a marked improvement in scalp hair coverage compared to placebo. This provides strong evidence for its clinical application in alopecia areata treatment.