Advances in understanding of basic immunology and paralleltechnical advances have opened the door to new and exciting immunologicaltherapies such as etanercept, rituximab, imiquimod and diphencyprone. Thusthe aim of this work was to review the literature for the various modalities ofimmunotherapy and the potential uses and benefits in common dermatologicdiseases and in alopecia areata. We also aimed to determine clinically theefficacy of the contact immune sensitizer diphencyprone (DPCP) in thetreatment of severe or resistant alopecia areata.Eight male patients above 18 years old with resistant and progressivealopecia areata were treated with topical contact sensitizer DPCP for aperiod of 6 months. They were first sensitized with DPCP 2% in acetone.Two weeks following sensitization they were treated with topical DPCP inacetone with low concentration (0.001%) applied twice weekly to beincreased if necessary to maintain a mild degree of eczema. A good clinicalresponse was achieved in only 2 patients treated with DPCP, showingacceptable terminal hair growth. Few terminal hair regrowth was observedin another 2 patients whereas no response at all occurred in the remaining 4cases suffering from AA totalis or universalis. Thus we conclude thatDPCP may consider as an accepted therapeutic modalities, in the treatmentof severe patchy alopecia areata, especially if used for prolonged duration.It does not seem to be of benefit in cases of alopecia totalis or universalis.