CDK4/6 Plus Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Patients

    May 2019 in “ Journal of Clinical Oncology ”
    Donald Chan, Azael David Freites Martinez, Shari Goldfarb, Shanu Modi, Devika Gajria, Mario E. Lacouture
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    TLDR Some breast cancer treatments cause hair loss similar to male pattern baldness, which can be improved with minoxidil.
    In 2019, a study was conducted on 39 female breast cancer patients, aged between 34 and 81, who were diagnosed with CDK4/6 plus aromatase inhibitor-induced alopecia (CDKIA). The study found that CDKIA was similar to androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in all patients and was more severe and developed faster than endocrine-therapy induced alopecia (EIA). CDKIA was also associated with more diffuse alopecia and more vellus hairs. The patients' quality of life was negatively impacted, particularly emotionally, compared to those with EIA. However, treatment with topical minoxidil resulted in moderate to significant improvement in 85% of the CDKIA patients.
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