A Genome-Wide Association Study of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Patients

September 2013 in “ Breast cancer research ”

Suyoun Chung, Siew‐Kee Low, Hitoshi Zembutsu, Atsushi Takahashi, Michiaki Kubo, Mitsunori Sasa, Yusuke Nakamura

chemotherapy-induced alopecia genetic risk factors SNP rs3820706 CACNB4 weighted genetic risk scoring wGRS antimicrotubule agents chemotherapy-induced hair loss single nucleotide polymorphism

TLDR A specific gene variant is linked to a higher risk of hair loss from chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

The genome-wide association study (GWAS) investigated genetic risk factors for chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer patients, involving 303 individuals with grade 2 alopecia and 880 without hair loss. The study identified a significant SNP (rs3820706 in CACNB4) associated with a higher risk of alopecia (P = 8.13 × 10^-9, OR = 3.71). A weighted genetic risk scoring (wGRS) system classified patients into risk groups, with the highest risk group having a 443 times higher risk of alopecia from antimicrotubule agents compared to the lowest risk group. These findings provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and could aid in developing preventive or therapeutic interventions, although further validation with independent samples was needed.

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Research cited in this study

9 / 9 results

research Pathobiology of Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss

218 citations, January 2013 in “The Lancet Oncology”

Chemotherapy causes hair loss by damaging hair follicles and stem cells, with more research needed for prevention and treatment.

research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

103 citations, December 2011 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Chemotherapy often causes temporary hair loss, which is distressing and needs better treatment and support.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations, June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: Emotional Distress and Mitigation Strategies

155 citations, March 2009 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Scalp cooling might reduce hair loss from chemotherapy, but evidence is weak and other treatments are being tested.

research Protection Against Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

97 citations, September 2006 in “Pharmaceutical Research”

No treatment fully prevents hair loss from chemotherapy yet.

research Hair and Cancer Chemotherapy: Consequences and Nursing Care - A Literature Study

159 citations, September 2001 in “European Journal of Cancer Care”

Chemotherapy-induced hair loss significantly affects patients' well-being, and nurses are key in helping them cope, but more research is needed to find effective treatments.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations, September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

research A Randomized Trial of Minoxidil in Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

127 citations, July 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil shortens baldness from chemotherapy by 50.2 days without significant side effects.

research Minoxidil as a Prophylaxis of Doxorubicin-Induced Alopecia

49 citations, October 1994 in “Annals of Oncology”

Minoxidil not effective in preventing chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

Related Research

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research The First Broad Replication Study of SNPs and a Pilot Genome-Wide Association Study for Androgenetic Alopecia in Asian Populations

1 citations, June 2022 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Two specific genetic markers increase the risk of hair loss in Asian populations.

research Hair Loss

August 2021 in “Pharmacy Today”

The document's conclusion about hair loss cannot be determined.

A Genome-Wide Association Study of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Patients

Research cited in this study

research Pathobiology of Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss

research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: Emotional Distress and Mitigation Strategies

research Protection Against Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

research Hair and Cancer Chemotherapy: Consequences and Nursing Care - A Literature Study

research Treatment of Hair Loss

research A Randomized Trial of Minoxidil in Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

research Minoxidil as a Prophylaxis of Doxorubicin-Induced Alopecia

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research The First Broad Replication Study of SNPs and a Pilot Genome-Wide Association Study for Androgenetic Alopecia in Asian Populations

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