A Case of Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Alopecia Successfully Treated With Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil

March 2023 in “ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology ”

Young Yoon Lee, Yeoun Kuk Sung, Dongkyun Hong, Kyung Eun Jung, Young‐Joon Seo, Young Lee

aromatase inhibitor alopecia low-dose oral minoxidil hormone receptor-positive breast cancer letrozole topical minoxidil endocrine therapy-induced alopecia hair density hair thickness oral minoxidil

TLDR Low-dose oral minoxidil improved hair growth when topical treatments failed.

A 52-year-old female with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer experienced alopecia after 6 months of letrozole treatment. Topical minoxidil (5%) was ineffective after 12 months, so she was switched to low-dose oral minoxidil (1.25 mg daily). After 10 months, her hair density and thickness significantly improved without adverse effects. This case suggests that low-dose oral minoxidil may be effective for endocrine therapy-induced alopecia (EIA) when topical treatments fail. Further studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.

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