title: [Alopecia areata].
abstract: The epidemiology of alopecia areata as well as murine models of this disease and genome-wide association studies support the concept of alopecia areata as an autoimmune disease. In addition, the genome-wide association studies have led to the identification of new potential therapeutic targets such as CTLA4; these results have already led to the initiation of clinical studies, for example, with abatacept. Currently topical and intralesional corticosteroids as well as immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone are most common therapeutic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Univ.-Hautklinik Aachen, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: von Felbert
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Merk
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors