Clinical Efficacy of Diphenylcyclopropenone in Alopecia Areata: Retrospective Data Analysis of 50 Patients
August 2014
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study found that topical diphenylcyclopropenone is an effective treatment for extensive alopecia areata, with significant hair regrowth reported in most patients, though effectiveness varied with disease characteristics.
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This retrospective study analyzed the efficacy of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) in treating 50 patients with extensive alopecia areata (AA) at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The study found that DPCP was effective, with 71% of alopecia totalis (AT) and 56% of alopecia universalis (AU) patients achieving 50% or more terminal hair regrowth. Common side effects included itching, dermatitis, mild blistering, and local lymphadenopathy, which were manageable. The study suggested that DPCP therapy should continue for at least 2 years to identify responders, as 95% of responders showed regrowth within this period. Poor response predictors included extensive scalp hair loss, body hair loss, and a history of thyroid disease, which also predicted relapse. Further prospective double-blind randomized studies were recommended to validate these findings.
