Alopecia areata is a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, especially on the scalp. Due to the condition, hair is lost in round patches. Two drugs, ruxolitinib, meant to treat a rare form of bone marrow disease, and tofacitinib, which is for rheumatoid arthritis, have been acting as the treatment for alopecia areata.

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center shared that experiment was conducted on mice. With the help of the drug ruxolitinib, mice's hair was completely restored in four to five months.

"We've only begun testing the drug in patients, but if the drug continues to be successful and safe, it will have a dramatic positive impact on the lives of people with this disease", affirmed Dr. Raphael Clynes, lead researcher.

Exact reason that leads to this problem is unknown. Researchers have come to know that alopecia areata originates in the immune system. Immune cells damage hair follicles and stop them from growing. Researchers also noticed that T-cells were behind harming the hair follicles. The drug ruxolitinib prevents the cells from causing harm to hair follicles.

A small study was carried out on seven women and five men. In this study, ruxolitinib was used. The drug helped complete hair growth in three patients in four to five months.

Dr. David Bickers of CUMC's Department of Dermatology has termed the results to be a breakthrough. It is the first step to save patients from this devastating disease. In June, tofacitinib was also found to be responsible for re-growth of hair of a 25-year old man with alopecia.

Alopecia areata can happen at any age and is not gender specific. The condition does not have a known treatment and can make a person suffer mental and emotional stress. Clynes said more research is needed to finally conclude that ruxolitinib should be used in alopecia areata.