Upadacitinib for Severe Alopecia Areata in Adults and Adolescents: Two Phase 3 UP-AA Randomized Clinical Trials.
Arash Mostaghimi, Melinda J Gooderham, Charles Lynde...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42584887/Actively Recruiting
Led by AbbVie · Updated on 2026-08-03
1500
Participants Needed
283
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
Alopecia areata AA is a condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss mainly on the head and face but possibly on other body parts. This research evaluates the safety, effectiveness, and tolerance of upadacitinib, an approved drug, in adolescents and adults with severe AA. The study is a Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial enrolling about 1500 participants worldwide. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups receiving different treatments two doses of upadacitinib or placebo. In initial periods, some may switch from placebo to upadacitinib based on their Severity of Alopecia Tool SALT score. Those completing early parts may enter an extension phase receiving upadacitinib for up to 108 weeks. Treatment involves taking oral tablets once daily for up to 160 weeks, with possible re-randomization at Weeks 24 and 52. Throughout the study, participants attend regular clinic visits for medical assessments, blood tests, side effect monitoring, and questionnaires to track treatment effects. Researchers measure hair loss improvement using SALT scores and record adverse events over approximately 164 weeks. Participants are followed for up to 30 days after their last dose for safety monitoring.
CONDITIONS
A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of Upadacitinib Tablets in Adult and Adolescent Participants With Severe Alopecia Areata
A
ABBVIE CALL CENTER
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
AbbVie
Lead Sponsor
This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.
| Factors | Upadacitinib (all studied doses) | Systemic corticosteroids (current standard care) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor given as tablets at multiple doses, evaluated for people with severe alopecia areata in several ongoing randomized trial cohorts. | Oral or injectable steroid medications, such as prednisone or methylprednisolone, widely used to suppress immune activity and reduce hair loss in severe alopecia areata. |
| Role in study | Investigational study drug. Participants are assigned to one of several randomized dose cohorts or placebo groups across multiple sequential studies, with the goal of evaluating safety and effectiveness. | Recommended first-line immunosuppressive therapy for severe alopecia areata in current clinical guidelines. Not studied as a comparator in this trial. |
| Primary use | Treatment of severe alopecia areata (current episode less than 8 years, SALT score 50 or greater) with persistent scalp hair loss. | Initiation of systemic therapy to reduce disease activity and promote hair regrowth in severe or rapidly progressing alopecia areata. |
| How it is given | Taken as oral tablets once daily at different doses according to specific trial assignments. Dose level and duration depend on cohort and study period. | Typically prescribed as oral pills given daily for a defined duration or, in some cases, as intravenous pulses, tapered based on clinical response and side effects. |
| Evidence status | Efficacy and safety in severe alopecia areata are under active investigation in this multi-cohort randomized trial. Earlier published phase 3 trial data for upadacitinib in a similar population show significant improvement in scalp hair regrowth compared to placebo at 24 weeks. | Broad practice experience and guideline consensus endorse systemic corticosteroids for short-term improvement in severe alopecia areata, but relapses are frequent after discontinuation and long-term efficacy varies. |
| Important limitations | Long-term safety and durability of response for upadacitinib in alopecia areata remain under study. The trial investigates multiple doses, but real-world effectiveness and rare side effects may not be fully captured. | Adverse effects with systemic corticosteroids, including weight gain, hypertension, mood changes, and risk of infection, often limit their prolonged use. Relapse upon stopping the medication is also common. |
Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.
You may qualify if you...
You will not qualify if you...
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - Up to 160 weeks
Participants take oral tablets of upadacitinib or placebo once daily. Those initially on placebo may switch to upadacitinib based on their hair loss score. Treatment periods last up to 160 weeks with possible re-randomization at Weeks 24 and 52.
Regular clinic visits for assessments and monitoring
Duration - Up to 30 days
Participants are monitored for safety and side effects for up to 30 days after their last dose of study drug.
1 to 2 follow-up visits
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
23
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Arash Mostaghimi, Melinda J Gooderham, Charles Lynde...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42584887/AbbVie
Lead Sponsor