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Testing two doses of ritlecitinib for treating alopecia areata in people aged 12 and older

A PHASE 3, EXTERNAL AND SYNTHETIC PLACEBO-CONTROLLED RANDOMIZED STUDY WITH DOSE-UP FOR NON-RESPONDERS TO INVESTIGATE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF RITLECITINIB 50 MG AND 100 MG ONCE DAILY IN ADULT AND ADOLESCENT PARTICIPANTS 12 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER WITH ALOPECIA AREATA

Phase 3 Interventional Pfizer · NCT06873945

This study is testing two different doses of a new oral medication called ritlecitinib to see if it can help people aged 12 and older with significant hair loss from alopecia areata.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment550 (estimated)
Ages12 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorPfizer Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsritlecitinib
Locations22 sites (Hot Springs, Arkansas and 21 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06873945 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ritlecitinib, an oral medication, in treating alopecia areata, a condition characterized by significant hair loss. Participants aged 12 years and older, who have lost at least 50% of their scalp hair, will be randomly assigned to receive either a 50 mg or 100 mg dose of ritlecitinib, or a placebo. The study will involve approximately 550 participants and will assess the impact of the medication over a specified period. Participants will need to discontinue any other alopecia treatments during the study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 12 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of alopecia areata and at least 50% hair loss on their scalp.

Not a fit: Patients with other conditions causing hair loss or those who have not lost at least 50% of their scalp hair may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve hair regrowth and quality of life for patients suffering from alopecia areata.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise with similar treatments for alopecia areata, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

Age:

1. 18 years of age or older at screening. Adolescents (12 to \<18 years of age at screening) are also eligible for this study, but only if permitted by the local IRB/EC and local regulatory health authority (if applicable). Where these approvals have not been granted, only participants 18 years of age and older at screening will be enrolled.

   Disease Characteristics:
2. Must meet the following alopecia areata criteria at both Screening and Baseline:

   1. Have a clinical diagnosis of alopecia areata with no other etiology of hair loss.
   2. ≥50% hair loss of the scalp, as measured by SALT, without evidence of terminal hair regrowth within the previous 6 months.
   3. Current episode of hair loss ≤10 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

Medical Conditions:

1. Diseases or conditions other than alopecia areata which affect hair loss, including other types of alopecia, other scalp disease that may impact the alopecia areata assessment, or active systemic diseases that may cause hair loss.
2. History of severe allergic or anaphylactoid reaction to any kinase inhibitor or a known allergy/hypersensitivity to any component (including excipients) of the study intervention.
3. Any psychiatric condition including recent or active suicidal ideation or behavior that meets protocol-defined criteria.
4. General Infection History:

   * Have a history of systemic infection requiring hospitalization or parenteral therapy (antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, or antifungal), or as otherwise judged clinically significant by the investigator, within 3 months prior to Day 1.
   * Have active acute or chronic infection requiring treatment with oral antibiotics, antivirals, antiparasitics, antiprotozoals, or antifungals within 4 weeks prior to Day 1. NOTE: participants may be rescreened after the infection resolves.
   * Evidence or history of untreated, currently treated or inadequately treated active or latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
5. Specific Viral Infection History:

   * History (single episode) of disseminated herpes zoster or disseminated herpes simplex, or a recurrent (more than one episode of) localized, dermatomal herpes zoster.
   * Infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C viruses: all participants will undergo screening for hepatitis B and C for eligibility.
6. Other Medical Conditions:

   * Have hearing loss with progression over the previous 5 years, sudden hearing loss, or middle or inner ear disease such as otitis media, cholesteatoma, Meniere's disease, labyrinthitis, or other auditory condition that is considered acute, fluctuating or progressive.
   * Abnormal findings on the screening chest imaging (eg, chest x-ray) including, but not limited to, presence of active TB or other infections, cardiomyopathy, or malignancy. Chest imaging may be performed up to 12 weeks prior to Screening.
   * Have any malignancies or have a history of malignancies with the exception of adequately treated or excised nonmetastatic basal cell or squamous cell cancer of the skin or cervical carcinoma in situ.
   * Have a history of any lymphoproliferative disorder such as EBV-related lymphoproliferative disorder, history of lymphoma, history of leukemia, or signs and symptoms suggestive of current lymphatic or lymphoid disease.
   * Significant trauma or major surgery within 1 month of the first dose of study drug or considered in imminent need for surgery.
7. Adolescent participants 12 to \<18 years of age without one of the following:

   * Documented evidence from a health professional of having received varicella vaccination (2 doses); or
   * Evidence of prior exposure to varicella zoster virus (VZV) based on serological testing (ie, a positive VZV IgG Ab result) at Screening.
8. Any medical or laboratory abnormality that may increase the risk of study participation or, in the investigator's judgment, make the participant inappropriate for the study.

   Prior/Concomitant Therapy:
9. Current or prior use of any prohibited medication(s), vaccine(s), or treatment(s) within the protocol-defined timelines.

   Prior/Concurrent Clinical Study Experience:
10. Previous administration with an investigational drug or vaccine within 8 weeks (or longer as determined by the local requirement) or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) before the first dose of study intervention in this study. Participation in studies of other investigational products (drug or vaccine) at any time during their participation in this study.

    Diagnostic Assessments:
11. Any exclusionary abnormalities in laboratory values at Screening, as assessed by the study-specific laboratory and, if deemed necessary, confirmed by a single repeat.
12. Screening standard 12-lead ECG that demonstrates clinically relevant abnormalities.

    Other Exclusion Criteria:
13. Investigator site staff directly involved in the conduct of the study and their family members, site staff otherwise supervised by the investigator, and sponsor and sponsor delegate employees directly involved in the conduct of the study and their family members.

Where this trial is running

Hot Springs, Arkansas and 21 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Alopecia Areataalopecia universalisalopecia totalisalopeciapatchy hair lossdiffuse hair lossophiasishair disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.