Angiogenesis and minoxidil

In the document from October 1, 1990, it was reported that minoxidil, a vasodilator used to treat hypertension and promote hair growth in alopecia areata, was observed to cause angiogenetic lesions on the scalp in two patients following topical application. The first patient, a 26-year-old HIV-positive man with Kaposi's sarcoma, developed hemorrhagic lesions with Kaposi's features on his lower forehead after using minoxidil for three months. The second patient, a healthy 27-year-old man treating androgenic alopecia, developed an angioma of the scalp after two months of minoxidil use. The document suggests that minoxidil may induce angiogenesis by interacting with immune system cells or stimulating the proliferation of endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and muscle cells. It concludes with a caution for doctors to be aware of the potential risks of skin-applied minoxidil, especially in individuals predisposed to neoangiogenesis or those who are HIV-positive.