Treatment of severe alopecia areata in children using baricitinib
Official title: A Phase 3, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Baricitinib in Children From 6 Years to Less Than 18 Years of Age With Alopecia Areata
Run by Eli Lilly and Company · NCT05723198 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if the medication baricitinib can help children aged 6 to under 18 with severe alopecia areata by seeing how well it works and if it’s safe over a long period.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 6 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 595 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Eli Lilly and Company Industry-sponsored |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, baricitinib |
| Locations | 127 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 126 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 27, 2023 |
| Main results expected | March 2028 |
| Study ends | September 2033 |
| Registry record updated | November 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05723198 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are children aged 6 to less than 18 years with a diagnosis of severe alopecia areata lasting at least one year.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with other forms of alopecia or those who have had severe alopecia areata for 8 years or more without any episodes of regrowth may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of baricitinib in treating severe or very severe alopecia areata in children aged 6 to less than 18 years. It consists of a 5-week screening period, followed by a 36-week double-blind treatment phase where participants receive either baricitinib or a placebo. After this, there is a long-term extension period lasting approximately 2 years, and a 4-week post-treatment follow-up. The study aims to provide insights into the long-term effects and benefits of baricitinib for this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve hair regrowth and quality of life for children suffering from severe alopecia areata.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with baricitinib for alopecia areata, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Enrollment will be fully sequential by age group, with adolescents (12 to less than 18 years old) enrolling before children (6 to less than 12 years old). * Have severe areata alopecia (AA) for at least 1 year * Diagnosis for at least 1 year * Current AA episode of at least 6 months' duration * SALT score ≥50% at screening and baseline * History of trial and failure with at least 1 available treatment (topical or other) for AA * History of psychological counseling related to AA * Current episode of severe AA of less than 8 years. * Note: Participants who have severe AA for ≥8 years may be enrolled if episodes of regrowth, spontaneous or under treatment, have been observed on the affected areas over the past 8 years. Exclusion Criteria: * Primarily "diffuse" type of AA (characterized by diffuse hair shedding). * Are currently experiencing other forms of alopecia including, but not limited to trichotillomania, telogen effluvium, chemotherapy-induced hair loss, or any other concomitant conditions (for example, tinea capitis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, or secondary syphilis) that would interfere with evaluations of the effect of study medication on AA. * Are largely or wholly incapacitated permitting little or no self-care, such as being bedridden * Have uncontrolled arterial hypertension * Have had major surgery within 8 weeks prior to screening or will require major surgery during the study * Have a history or presence of cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, hematological, neurological, or neuropsychiatric disorders or any other serious and/or unstable illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, could constitute an unacceptable risk when taking IP or interfere with the interpretation of data. * Have a positive test for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection * Have hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (positive for anti hepatitis C antibody with confirmed presence of HCV ribonucleic acid \[RNA\]). * Have evidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and/or positive HIV antibodies.
Where it's running
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Total Skin and Beauty Dermatology Center, PC
Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting -
Investigate MD
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States Recruiting -
Dermatology Research Associates
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting -
University of California, San Diego/Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego - Pediatric & Adolescent Dermatology
San Diego, California, United States Recruiting -
The Permanente Medical Group, Inc.
San Francisco, California, United States Recruiting -
Southern California Dermatology, Inc.
Santa Ana, California, United States Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
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Solutions Through Advanced Research, Inc.
Jacksonville, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Pediatric Skin Research, LLC
Miami, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Skin Care Physicians of Georgia
Macon, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
Northshore University Healthsystem
Skokie, Illinois, United States Recruiting -
Dawes Fretzin Clinical Research Group, LLC
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Recruiting -
The South Bend Clinic Center for Research
South Bend, Indiana, United States Recruiting -
DermAssociates PC.
Rockville, Maryland, United States Recruiting -
Michigan Center for Research Company
Clarkston, Michigan, United States Recruiting -
University of Minnesota Medical School
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Recruiting -
MediSearch Clinical Trials
Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States Recruiting -
Advanced Skin Research Center
Omaha, Nebraska, United States Recruiting -
Montefiore Medical Center
The Bronx, New York, United States Recruiting -
Dermatology Specialists of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Bexley Dermatology Research
Bexley, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Vital Prospects Clinical Research Institute, P.C.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Recruiting -
Northwest Dermatology Institute
Portland, Oregon, United States Recruiting -
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States Recruiting -
International Clinical Research - Tennessee (IC Research)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States Recruiting -
Pediatric Dermatology of North Texas
Grapevine, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Texas Dermatology and Laser Specialists
San Antonio, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Complete Dermatology
Sugar Land, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Virginia Clinical Research
Norfolk, Virginia, United States Recruiting -
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting -
Psoriahue Medicina Interdisciplinaria
Buenos Aires, Argentina Recruiting -
Fundación Respirar
Buenos Aires, Argentina Recruiting -
Derma Internacional SA
Buenos Aires, Argentina Recruiting -
Buenos Aires Skin
Ciudad Autonoma Buenos Aires, Argentina Recruiting -
Instituto de Neumonología Y Dermatología
Ciudad Autonoma Buenos Aires, Argentina Recruiting -
Hospital del Niño Jesus
San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina Recruiting -
Sinclair Dermatology
Melbourne, Australia Recruiting -
Institute for Skin, Health, and Immunity
Mitcham, Australia Recruiting -
Veracity Clinical Research Pty Ltd
Wooloongabba, Australia Recruiting -
Dermatology Research Institute
Calgary, Canada Recruiting -
Skin Health
Cobourg, Canada Recruiting -
Lynderm Research Inc.
Markham, Canada Recruiting -
Dr. Chih-ho Hong Medical Inc.
Surrey, Canada Recruiting -
Research Toronto
Toronto, Canada Recruiting -
Wiseman Dermatology Research Inc.
Winnipeg, Canada Recruiting -
AP-HM CHU Timone - Pharmacie Secteur Essais Cliniques
Marseille, France Recruiting -
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes - L' Hopital l'hôtel-Dieu
Nantes, France Recruiting -
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice - Hôpital l'Archet
Nice, France Recruiting -
Centre de Sante Sabouraud
Paris, France Recruiting -
Hôpital Clocheville Chru-Tours Département Dermatologie
Tours, France Recruiting -
Fachklinik Bad Bentheim
Bad Bentheim, Germany Recruiting
+77 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Trial questions or participation questions: 1-877-CTLILLY (1-877-285-4559) or
- Email: LillyTrials@Lilly.com
- Phone: 1-317-615-4559
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.