Could a cancer drug regrow hair in rare autoimmune disease?

NCT ID NCT05398809

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether ruxolitinib, a drug already approved for certain blood disorders, can help regrow hair in people with APECED, a rare immune condition that often causes severe alopecia areata. About 70 participants aged 12 to 75 will take the pill twice daily for 8 months, with doctors tracking hair regrowth and safety. The study is open-label, meaning everyone knows they are getting the drug, and it is currently recruiting.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

ruxolitinib (a JAK inhibitor pill)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could offer a treatment option for hair regrowth in people with APECED-related alopecia areata, a condition with no approved therapies.

What could go wrong

This is an early-phase, open-label trial with no placebo group, so results may be less reliable. Ruxolitinib can cause side effects like infection or blood changes, and hair regrowth may not be sustained.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alopecia alopecia areata autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

    RECRUITING

    Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••