NCT06012240 · AbbVie
A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of Upadacitinib Tablets in Adult and Adolescent Participants With Severe Alopecia Areata
(Up-AA)
What this study is about
Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease that happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss. AA usually affects the head and face, but hair loss can happen on any part of the body. The purpose of this study is to assess how safe, effective, and tolerable upadacitinib is in adolescent and adult participants with severe AA.
View original scientific description
Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease that happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss. AA usually affects the head and face, but hair loss can happen on any part of the body. The purpose of this study is to assess how safe, effective, and tolerable upadacitinib is in adolescent and adult participants with severe AA. Upadacitinib is an approved drug being investigated for the treatment of AA.
Interventions
DRUG
Upadacitinib
Oral Tablets
DRUG
Placebo
Oral Tablets
Primary outcome measures
Percentage of Participants with the Achievement of Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) Score <= 20
Time frame: Week 24
The SALT is a global AA severity score based on the combination of extent and density of scalp hair loss. The score is determined by visually defining the amount of terminal hair loss in each of the 4 views of the scalp (left and right side each accounting for 18% of scalp area, the top for 40%, and the back for 24%) and adding these together with a maximum score of 100%.
Number of Participants with Adverse Events (AEs)
Time frame: Up to approximately 164 weeks
An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation in which a participant is administered a pharmaceutical product which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Adult individuals must be \< 64 years old at Baseline Visit. Where permitted outside United States (US)/European Union (EU), adolescent individuals who are at least 12 years old at Screening may participate in Study 1 and Study 2. Adolescent individuals in the US who are at least 12 years old at Screening may participate in Study 4.
- Diagnosis of severe alopecia areata (AA) with Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score \>= 50 scalp hair loss at Screening and Baseline.
- Severe AA with no spontaneous scalp hair regrowth over the past 6 months.
- Current episode of AA of less than 8 years.
Exclusion criteria
- Current diagnosis of primarily diffuse type of AA.
- Current diagnosis of other types of alopecia that would interfere with evaluation of AA, including but not limited to female pattern hair loss, male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) Stage III or greater based on Hamilton-Norwood classification, traction alopecia, lichen planopilaris (LPP), discoi
Where
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Glendale, Arizona
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Chula Vista, California
- Encino, California
- Fountain Valley, California
- Irvine, California
- Los Angeles, California
- Redwood City, California
- Sacramento, California
- Thousand Oaks, California
And 59 more locations — see the full list below.
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 13, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations