FGF7-Dependent Inhibition of Human Hair Growth by an Osteopontin-Derived Peptide: A Novel Solution for Hirsutism and Hypertrichosis

The study explored the use of FOL-005, a peptide derived from osteopontin, as a treatment for excessive hair growth conditions like hirsutism and hypertrichosis. It was discovered that FOL-005 induced early onset of the catagen phase in human hair follicles both in vitro and in vivo, without affecting hair follicle stem cells or causing toxicity. FOL-005 also negated the hair growth effects of minoxidil. The mechanism appears to involve the reduction of FGF7, a known hair growth promoter, as FGF7 supplementation partially reversed FOL-005's effects. These findings suggest that FOL-005 could be a potential new treatment for managing unwanted hair growth by inhibiting hair growth through an FGF7-dependent pathway.