Childhood Alopecia Areata Study Using the 308-nm Excimer Laser

Alopecia Areata (AA) is a skin restricted autoimmune disease of the hair follicle, resulting in hair loss of the scalp, and in severe cases of the entire body. AA is the second most common cause of alopecia in childhood; no FDA-approved treatments exist. The use of focused narrow-band ultraviolet-B light via the excimer laser is a common treatment for many skin diseases in patients of all ages. In this study, the feasibility of the 308-nm excimer laser for treatment of patch type AA of the scalp will be examined. We anticipate the excimer laser will be safe and a feasible option for patients with patch type AA. The excimer laser may represent a novel treatment for childhood AA and no comparison or large studies currently exist in the literature.

Hypotheses The 308-nm excimer laser procedure is a feasible, well-tolerated and safe treatment for patch type alopecia areata of the scalp in children.

The goal of this study is to assess the feasibility, safety and response to treatment of the use of the 308-nm excimer laser in children (age 6-17 years) diagnosed with patch type alopecia areata involving the scalp, present for more than 6 months duration. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly enrolled in a treatment group or placebo group. Response to treatment during and after the 12-week laser treatment course will be measured in terms of hair regrowth utilizing the SALT score and 2 blinded evaluations of subject photographs.

Specific Aims Evaluate the feasibility and safety of twice-weekly excimer laser treatments over a period of 12 weeks. Measures will include side effects, response to treatment (hair growth), tolerability of therapy, attrition, attendance, and overall satisfaction with this treatment modality.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Children 6-17 years old, diagnosed with patch type alopecia areata for a minimum of 6 months prior to enrollment involving the scalp.
2. A Parent/guardian consent and child assent (in those 8 years old or greater) must be obtained.
3. Parent/guardian and patient agree to MED dose test with a 24 hour follow up visit and a 12 week period of twice weekly treatment in either group, as well as baseline, interim and end of study visits.
4. Parent/guardian and child must be able to understand English or Spanish to participate.
5. Parent/guardian must agree to have the patient undergo a washout period of 6 weeks prior to the enrollment of the study if the patient is currently on treatment of any kind (oral and/or topical) for AA.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Children who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune skin disease or photosensitivity disorder.
2. Children who have been using topical steroids to the scalp, have other scalp disease or are using injected or oral steroids, biologic agents or chemotherapy for other medical conditions.
3. Children under current treatment for other skin conditions with oral medications (such as an oral corticosteroid) and/or topical treatments such as topical corticosteroids that may affect hair regrowth. Specifically, for topical medications, any child that requires the use of class 1-2 topical corticosteroids will be excluded.

3. Any subject who is currently experiencing significant spontaneous regrowth of terminal hair.

4. Patients with alopecia universalis, totalis, ophiasis pattern or diffuse AA may not participate in this feasibility study.

4. Parent/guardian who do not consent or children who do not assent to participate.

5. Any subject who has had AA for less than 6 months and is not willing to undergo a 6 week wash-out period prior to start of the study.