Alopecia Due to Chemotherapeutics, Hedgehog Inhibitors, Targeted Antibody Therapies, and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

The document reviews the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention of alopecia due to various cancer treatments. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) affects up to 65% of patients, typically causing anagen effluvium within 1-3 weeks of treatment, which is usually reversible. Hedgehog inhibitors like vismodegib or sonidegib cause alopecia in up to 60% of cases, presenting as telogen effluvium. BRAF and immune checkpoint inhibitors are less commonly associated with hair loss. Scalp cooling can mitigate severe CIA in taxane-based chemotherapy. Early involvement with support groups and timely prescriptions for wigs are advised for those anticipating CIA or other treatment-related alopecia.