CCR5 Blockade Shows Prevention of Alopecia Areata Development as Well as Improvement of Alopecia Areata

The study from October 1, 2017, demonstrated that the CCR5 inhibitor Maraviroc, originally an HIV drug, was effective in treating alopecia areata (AA) in C3H/HeJ mice. Mice treated with 330µg/day of Maraviroc for 28 days showed significant improvement, with 4 out of 5 mice exhibiting hair regrowth after 2 weeks. The treatment led to a decrease in CD4+CCR5+ and CD8+CCR5+ T cells in the affected areas and reduced the chemotactic activity of CD4+ lymph node cells. The findings suggest that CCR5 blockade can both prevent the onset of AA and improve existing hair loss lesions.