TLDR Two patients developed complete hair loss after Alemtuzumab treatment for MS, with no regrowth after two years.
Two female patients in their thirties developed Alopecia Universalis (AU), a condition characterized by complete loss of scalp and body hair, 12 months after their second cycle of Alemtuzumab treatment for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This treatment is known to cause secondary autoimmunity in up to 40% of patients. One patient's AU was associated with a significant drop in vitamin D levels, while the other experienced joint swelling; both had thyroid alterations and neither showed hair regrowth after 2 years. These cases highlight AU as a potential secondary autoimmune manifestation of Alemtuzumab, underscoring the importance of patient screening and monitoring for predisposing factors to secondary autoimmunity.
10 citations,
October 2018 in “Neurology Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation” Systemic corticosteroids might help treat hair loss caused by alemtuzumab in MS patients.
48 citations,
May 2018 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” People with alopecia areata often have lower vitamin D levels and are more likely to be deficient in it.
44 citations,
April 2017 in “International Journal of Dermatology” No treatment is completely effective for alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis.
6 citations,
March 2019 in “JAAD case reports” A new mix of anthralin and calcipotriene might help treat severe hair loss.
148 citations,
December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.
4 citations,
November 2018 in “JAAD case reports” Alopecia areata can sometimes appear as a straight line of hair loss instead of round patches.
May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology” Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.
110 citations,
December 2013 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings” Alopecia areata is a genetic and immune-related hair loss condition that is often associated with other autoimmune diseases and does not typically cause permanent damage to hair follicles.
