This is not a cure. It only permits hair regrowth for as long as it is used. However, it shows promise in comparison to what is currently available. There in the region of 40 known cytokines some of which have subvariants. New cytokines continue to be discovered and this is a growing area of research.
Different cytokines have different properties, some stimulate the immune response others depress it.
We know that there are suppressor cells in the immune system which act as a brake on any inflammatory response. They are necessary as without out them, once an immune response started it would never stop. Promoting these suppressor cells with certain cytokines to switch off the inflammation in alopecia areata is a theoretical method of treatment. In Germany a research group is working on manipulating cytokine levels in and around hair follicles with some limited success so far. The research is ongoing.