Efficacy and Safety of Diphenylcyclopropenone Alone or in Combination with Anthralin in the Treatment of Chronic Extensive Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Case Series

April 2015 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”

Murat Durdu, Deren Özcan, Mete Baba, Denız Seckın

TLDR Combining diphenylcyclopropenone with anthralin is more effective for hair regrowth in alopecia areata than using diphenylcyclopropenone alone, but may cause more side effects.

In a retrospective case series from 2015, the efficacy and safety of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) alone or in combination with anthralin for treating chronic extensive alopecia areata (AA) were evaluated in 47 patients. The study found that the combination therapy was superior to DPCP alone, with 72% of patients in the combination group experiencing complete hair regrowth compared to 36.4% in the DPCP only group (P = .01). Additionally, the combination therapy resulted in higher regrowth rates of eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard (P = .01), although the duration of hair regrowth was shorter. Side effects like folliculitis, hyperpigmentation, and staining were more common in the combination therapy group. The study's limitations included its retrospective design and the small number of patients.

View this study on jaad.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

12 / 12 results

research Clinical Efficacy of Diphenylcyclopropenone in Alopecia Areata: Retrospective Data Analysis of 50 Patients

14 citations , September 2014 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is effective in treating alopecia areata, with most patients showing significant hair regrowth.

research The Safety and Efficacy of Diphencyprone for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Children

37 citations , September 2012 in “Archives of dermatology”

research A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Various Topical Treatment Modalities for Alopecia Areata

20 citations , January 2012 in “International journal of trichology”

Steroids are the best treatment for Alopecia Areata with few side effects.

research Extensive Alopecia Areata: Not Necessarily Recalcitrant to Therapy

14 citations , January 2011 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Some people with severe, long-lasting baldness responded well to a specific combination treatment.

research Five-Year Experience in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Diphencyprone

37 citations , February 2010 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Diphencyprone (DPC) is an effective and safe long-term treatment for alopecia areata, especially with maintenance therapy.

research Alopecia Areata Update

391 citations , February 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.

research Alopecia Areata Update

244 citations , February 2010 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

The document says current treatments for alopecia areata do not cure or prevent it, and it's hard to judge their effectiveness due to spontaneous remission and lack of studies.

research Changes in Distribution Pattern of CD8 Lymphocytes in the Scalp in Alopecia Areata During Treatment With Diphenylcyclopropenone

27 citations , May 2007 in “Archives of dermatological research”

Diphencyprone treatment increases CD8 lymphocytes in the scalp, which is associated with hair regrowth in alopecia areata patients.

research Restoration of Hair Growth in Mice with an Alopecia Areata-Like Disease Using Topical Anthralin

29 citations , January 2004 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Topical anthralin helped regrow hair in mice with a condition similar to human alopecia.

research Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Areata

46 citations , June 1990 in “Archives of dermatology”

Combining 5% minoxidil and 0.5% anthralin can help regrow hair in some severe alopecia areata patients.

research Allergic and irritant contact dermatitis compared in the treatment of alopecia totalis and universalis. A comparison of the value of topical diphencyprone and tretinoin gel

36 citations , March 1989 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

DPCP is more effective than tretinoin gel for treating severe alopecia.

research Evaluation of Anthralin in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

109 citations , November 1987 in “Archives of dermatology”

Anthralin cream helped 25% of patients with severe alopecia areata regrow hair, but caused skin irritation.

1 / 1 results

research Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child

April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology”

A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.