Active — Not RecruitingPhase 3

A Study to Learn About Medicine Called Ritlecitinib in Children Aged Between 6 to 12 Years With Severe Alopecia Areata

United States, China, Czechia208 participantsStarted 2025-07-31

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to learn about the safety and effects of the study medicine (called ritlecitinib) for the possible treatment of severe alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is a condition that causes hair loss. This study is seeking participants who have: * at least 50% scalp hair loss due to alopecia areata. * received varicella vaccination (2 doses) or have been infected by varicella zoster virus before based on blood test reports. * history of clinical response failure to alopecia areata treatment (for children in EU/UK only). All participants in this study will receive either study medicine (ritlecitinib) or placebo. A placebo does not have any medicine in it but looks just like the medicine being studied. One-third of participants will receive ritlecitinib higher dose, one-third participants will receive ritlecitinib lower dose, and one-third participants will receive placebo. The study medicine is a capsule that is taken by mouth. It is taken once each day at home. The study will compare the experiences of participants receiving ritlecitinib to participants receiving placebo. This will help see if ritlecitinib is safe and effective. Participants will take part in this study for 6 months. During this time, they will have 8 study visits at the study clinic. The study team will also call participants about 8 times over the phone.

Who can participate

Age range

6 Years – 11 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * A diagnosis of AA (including alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU)) with at least 50% scalp hair loss due to AA (ie, SALT score of ≥50) at both screening and baseline visits, without evidence of terminal hair regrowth within the previous 12 months. * For study participants in the EU/UK only: History of clinical response failure to AA treatment (such as topical, off-label pharmacologic, or hairpiece prosthetics) * Documented evidence of having received varicella vaccination (2 doses), OR evidence of prior exposure to varicella zoster virus (VZV) based on serological testing (ie, a positive VZV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody (Ab) result) at screening. Exclusion Criteria: * Other (non-AA) types of alopecia, including any known congenital cause of AA. * Pre-existing hearing loss. * Any present or history of malignancies or lymphoproliferative disorder such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related lymphoproliferative disorder, history of lymphoma, history of leukemia, or signs and symptoms suggestive of current lymphatic or lymphoid disease. * Clinically significant depression per PROMIS Parent Proxy Short Form - Depressive symptoms (T-score ≥70). * Any evidence of untreated or inadequately treated active or latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection; history (one or more episodes) of severe or serious cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, herpes zoster (shingles) or disseminated herpes simplex; infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatiti…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

For US and Countries Following US Analysis Plan: Response based on achieving an absolute Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score ≤20.

Timeframe: Week 24

For EU/UK and Countries Following EU/UK Analysis Plan: Response based on achieving an absolute SALT score ≤10.

Timeframe: Week 24

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07029711

SponsorPfizer

Sponsor typeINDUSTRY

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-02

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Severe Alopecia Areata trials