Promising Alternative Clinical Uses of Prostaglandin F2α Analogs: Beyond the Eyelashes

January 2015 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Young Mee Choi, Joseph Diehl, Paul C. Levins

prostaglandin F2α PGF2α hypertrichosis hyperpigmentation androgenic alopecia chemotherapy-induced alopecia alopecia areata corticosteroids bimatoprost vitiligo hypopigmentary disorders Latisse

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Bimatoprost →

a synthetic prostamide used to treat eyelashes also shows promise for stimulating hair growth on scalp

Studysummary This review discusses the potential applications of prostaglandin F2α analogs for certain types of alopecia and hypopigmentation, but reports no new experimental results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The 2015 review article examined the dermatological uses of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) analogs beyond their known side effects of hypertrichosis and hyperpigmentation in glaucoma treatment. The analogs were found to be promising for treating androgenic alopecia, with a study of 16 men showing increased hair density, and chemotherapy-induced alopecia, with a study of 20 patients showing improved eyelash length and thickness. Mixed results were reported for alopecia areata, with some studies indicating no significant hair regrowth and others suggesting benefits when combined with corticosteroids. Although no controlled studies were available for vitiligo treatment, case series reported some repigmentation. Four clinical trials were registered to investigate bimatoprost for androgenic alopecia, with three completed and one recruiting at the time of the review. The review concluded that while PGF2α analogs have potential for androgenic alopecia and chemotherapy-induced alopecia, more research is needed to confirm their efficacy for alopecia areata, vitiligo, and other hypopigmentary disorders.

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16 / 16 results

research Pathobiology of Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss

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This review discusses the pathobiology of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and highlights challenges in managing it, reporting no new clinical results and emphasizing the need for well-designed preclinical models to develop effective treatments.

research The Prostamide-Related Glaucoma Therapy, Bimatoprost, Offers a Novel Approach for Treating Scalp Alopecias

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research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

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Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy of a 24-Week Topical Treatment by Latanoprost 0.1% on Hair Growth and Pigmentation in Healthy Volunteers with Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy of a 24-Week Topical Treatment by Latanoprost 0.1% on Hair Growth and Pigmentation in Healthy Volunteers with Androgenetic Alopecia

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In this study, latanoprost significantly increased hair density in young men with mild androgenetic alopecia after 24 weeks, suggesting it may stimulate hair follicle activity and treat hair loss.

research Characterization of an In Vivo Model for the Study of Eyelash Biology and Trichomegaly: Mouse Eyelash Morphology, Development, Growth Cycle, and Anagen Prolongation by Bimatoprost

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This study demonstrates that mouse eyelashes can effectively model human eyelash growth to analyze morphology, development, and the effects of growth-stimulatory agents like bimatoprost.

research Bimatoprost in the Treatment of Eyelash Universalis Alopecia Areata

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research Latanoprost in the Treatment of Eyelash Alopecia in Alopecia Areata Universalis

50 citations , December 2009 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study found that latanoprost may be effective for treating eyelash alopecia areata, achieving cosmetically acceptable regrowth in 45% of patients.

research Instilled Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solution in Patients with Eyelash Alopecia Areata

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This study found that while bimatoprost was safe for 16 weeks, it was not effective for eyelash growth in patients with significant loss due to alopecia areata, though some with less loss experienced growth.

Lack of Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost and Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solutions in Promoting Eyelash Growth in Patients with Alopecia Areata

research Lack of Efficacy of Topical Latanoprost and Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solutions in Promoting Eyelash Growth in Patients with Alopecia Areata

55 citations , March 2009 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that latanoprost and bimatoprost, when applied cutaneously to the eyelids, did not induce appreciable eyelash regrowth in patients with alopecia areata over 16 weeks.

research Periocular Pigmentation Associated with Use of Travoprost for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata of the Eyelashes

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This study reports that periocular pigmentation may occur with the use of travoprost for treating alopecia areata of the eyelashes.

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This article discusses the potential of latanoprost for treating alopecia areata, but notes that well-controlled studies are still needed to confirm its effectiveness.

research Influence of Prostaglandin F2α and Its Analogues on Hair Regrowth and Follicular Melanogenesis in a Murine Model

103 citations , April 2005 in “Experimental dermatology”

This study found that PGF2alpha analogues and PGE2 stimulated hair follicle activity in mice, with PGF2alpha analogues also linked to potential side effects like poliosis when used as eye treatments.

research Hypertrichosis of the Eyelashes Caused by Bimatoprost

65 citations , November 2004 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reports a case where the IOP-lowering drug bimatoprost was associated with eyelash hypertrichosis.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

139 citations , June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This article reviews androgenetic alopecia in women, highlighting diagnosis criteria and noting that topical minoxidil is currently the only proven treatment for hair growth; it reports no clinical trial findings.

research Prostaglandin-Induced Hair Growth

162 citations , August 2002 in “Survey of Ophthalmology”

This study found that latanoprost induces significant growth and pigmentation of lashes and ancillary hairs, with effects mirroring both brief and chronic treatments observed in patients and animal models.

research Fortnightly Review: Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

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