Recruiting

Testing a new medication for severe patchy hair loss

Plain-English translation of NCT06012240 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated October 2026 · Translation generated ·

What is this trial?

This is a large study testing a medication called to see if it can help people with severe alopecia areata—a condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes significant hair loss. About 1,500 people will take the medication or a placebo (a fake pill with no active ingredient) once daily for up to 160 weeks. Researchers want to know whether this treatment is safe, effective, and well-tolerated.

Alopecia areata causes sudden, sometimes extensive hair loss and can be emotionally distressing. Currently, treatment options are limited. This trial is investigating whether this medication—which works by calming the immune system—could offer a new, effective option for people with severe cases.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 12 and 64 years old (depending on your location and which study arm you join)
you have been diagnosed with severe alopecia areata with at least 50% scalp hair loss
your hair loss has not improved on its own for at least the past 6 months
your current episode of hair loss started less than 8 years ago

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a diffuse type of alopecia areata (where hair thins evenly across the scalp rather than in patches)
you have other types of hair loss (such as male or female pattern baldness, traction alopecia, or scarring alopecia) that could interfere with the study
you have inflammatory scalp conditions like psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, or severe atopic dermatitis on your scalp
you have other scalp, eyebrow, or eyelash disorders that would make it hard to evaluate how well the treatment works

What participation looks like

You will take a tablet by mouth once daily for up to 160 weeks (about 3 years). You'll have regular clinic visits for blood tests, physical exams, and check-ups to monitor how the treatment is working and watch for any side effects. Some participants may be reassigned to a different treatment group at 24 or 52 weeks based on how their hair is responding. After you stop taking the medication, you'll be followed for 30 days to make sure everything is okay.

Testing a new medication for severe patchy hair loss

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(272 sites)