TLDR Some patients developed hair loss after islet cell transplant possibly due to their immune-suppressing medications.
The document described three cases of alopecia in female patients following clinical islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes, potentially linked to tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive therapy. Alopecia developed approximately 7 years post-transplant, with two patients also receiving thymoglobulin. The incidence of alopecia post-transplant was estimated at <2.5% over 5 years, higher than the <1% prevalence in pre-transplant candidates. Despite the small sample size, the study suggested a potential link between immunosuppressive therapy and alopecia, highlighting the need for further research and discussion of this risk with transplant candidates.
391 citations
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January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.
5 citations
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September 2008 in “Journal of the Chinese Medical Association” A kidney transplant patient got a fungal infection from her dogs, but treatment improved her condition and hair grew back.
75 citations
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June 2005 in “Archives of Dermatology” Etanercept may not prevent alopecia areata from coming back.
30 citations
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January 1999 in “Dermatology” Cyclosporine A can help some people with severe alopecia areata regrow hair.
17 citations
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December 1997 in “Transplantation” Tacrolimus can cause hair loss in kidney transplant patients.
26 citations
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July 1992 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Oral cyclosporine A and prednisolone effectively improved alopecia universalis without side effects.
September 2011 in “American Journal of Transplantation” Hair regrowth in alopecia universalis may be possible by altering immune cells.
98 citations
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March 2019 in “Frontiers in immunology” Damaging mutations in NFKB2 cause a severe and distinct form of primary immunodeficiency with early-onset and often ACTH-deficiency.
151 citations
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February 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Alopecia areata causes hair loss, has no cure, and various treatments exist.
4 citations
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July 2001 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Tacrolimus is an effective treatment for several skin conditions with fewer side effects than cyclosporine.
35 citations
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August 2001 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Tacrolimus is effective for various skin conditions with fewer side effects than cyclosporine.
