5-Fluorouracil Induces Hair Loss by Inhibiting Beta-Catenin Signaling and Angiogenesis

February 2025 in “ Chemico-Biological Interactions ”

Jung-Il Kang, Youn Kyung Choi, Sang-Chul Han, Jin Won Hyun, Young Sang Koh, Jaeseong Oh, Hye-Jin Boo, Eun-Sook Yoo, Hee‐Kyoung Kang

5-fluorouracil chemotherapy-induced alopecia β-catenin signaling angiogenesis hair follicle anagen phase dermal papilla cells cell cycle regulation growth factors 5-FU hair loss hair growth

TLDR 5-Fluorouracil causes hair loss by blocking signals needed for hair growth.

The study reveals that 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) induces hair loss by disrupting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and inhibiting angiogenesis, crucial for hair growth. In C57BL/6 mice, 5-FU delays the anagen phase and reduces follicular size by decreasing VEGF and Flk-1 levels, essential for angiogenesis. It also causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in rat dermal papilla and HaCaT cells by altering the β-catenin pathway. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and suggest potential targets for developing hair loss treatments for patients undergoing 5-FU chemotherapy. Further research is needed to explore these pathways and validate the mechanisms using a 3D culture model of hair follicle cells.

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