Elevated Serum Heat Shock Protein-70 and Interleukin-15: Prognostic Biomarkers Correlating with Clinical Severity and Diagnostic Efficacy in Active Alopecia Areata

January 2026 in “ Journal of the Egyptian Womenʼs Dermatologic Society ”

Fatima H. Sabih, Maha F. Smaism, Wisam A. Ameen

alopecia areata heat shock protein-70 interleukin-15 HSP70 IL-15 ferritin zinc

TLDR High levels of HSP70 and IL-15 are linked to more severe alopecia areata.

This study investigated the serum levels of heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) and interleukin-15 (IL-15) in 60 male patients with alopecia areata (AA) compared to 60 male controls. Results showed significantly elevated levels of HSP70 and IL-15 in AA patients, with the highest levels in those with severe disease. IL-15 was identified as a superior diagnostic marker with high sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, AA patients had lower ferritin and zinc levels and higher BMI than controls. The study concludes that elevated HSP70 and IL-15 levels are positively correlated with AA severity, indicating their strong association with the disease's pathogenesis and severity.

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research Alopecia Areata Is Associated With An Increased Risk For Prediabetes And Obesity: A Nationwide Case-Control Study

January 2025 in “Journal of Personalized Medicine”

People with Alopecia Areata are more likely to have prediabetes and obesity.

research Association of Low Serum Ferritin Levels in Patients With Alopecia Areata: A Case-Control Study

April 2024 in “Proceedings”

People with alopecia areata often have lower iron levels than healthy people.

research Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients With Alopecia Areata

October 2023 in “Acta dermato-venereologica (Print)”

People with severe hair loss have lower zinc levels in their blood.

research An Overview of JAK/STAT Pathways and JAK Inhibition in Alopecia Areata

40 citations , August 2022 in “Frontiers in immunology”

Blocking JAK/STAT pathways can help treat hair loss from alopecia areata.

research Interleukin 15 Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Alopecia Areata

July 2022 in “The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine”

Targeting IL-15 may help treat Alopecia Areata.

research Lifestyle Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

16 citations , January 2022 in “International journal of molecular sciences”

Certain daily habits like stress, diet, and sleep can affect the severity of hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: An Update on Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management

290 citations , August 2021 in “Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology”

JAK inhibitors show promise for treating alopecia areata, but more research is needed.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review on Diagnosis, Immunological Etiopathogenesis, and Treatment Options

56 citations , January 2021 in “Clinical and Experimental Medicine”

The document concludes that while there are various treatments for Alopecia Areata, there is no cure, and individualized treatment plans are essential due to varying effectiveness.

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege and Its Collapse in Alopecia Areata

134 citations , July 2020 in “Experimental dermatology”

Hair follicles are normally protected from the immune system, but when this protection fails, it can cause hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review of Disease Pathogenesis

191 citations , May 2018 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Alopecia areata is likely an autoimmune disease with unclear triggers, involving various immune cells and molecules, and currently has no cure.

research Evaluation of Serum Zinc Level in Patients With Newly Diagnosed and Resistant Alopecia Areata

52 citations , July 2015 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Patients with alopecia areata have lower zinc levels, and zinc supplements might help.

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Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

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in Research 865 upvotes 1 year ago

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in Treatment 8 upvotes 5 years ago

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community 5 months of daily using finasteride and minoxidil

in Progress Pictures 845 upvotes 1 year ago

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in Treatment 4 upvotes 1 year ago

Hair loss without a white bulb may indicate mechanical damage, anagen effluvium, alopecia areata, or traction alopecia. Seeking a specialist is recommended, but access can be difficult in smaller areas.

community My hair loss recovery (9 months treatment), androgenic alopecia

in Progress Pictures 727 upvotes 1 year ago

A user shared a 9-month hair recovery journey from androgenic alopecia using 1 mg finasteride daily, 5% minoxidil twice daily, and weekly dermarolling with a 1.5 mm roller. Some responders were skeptical about the authenticity of the results, while others confirmed the consistency of the user's appearance and supported the effectiveness of the treatment.

community Only Minoxidil 2 Months Before After Photos

in Progress Pictures 132 upvotes 1 year ago

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