Dissecting the Impact of Chemotherapy on the Human Hair Follicle

The document "Dissecting the Impact of Chemotherapy on the Human Hair Follicle" from October 2007 examined how chemotherapy, specifically 4-Hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC), affected human hair follicles (HFs) using an in vitro model. The study found that high concentrations of 4-HC significantly inhibited hair growth, induced premature catagen-like transformations, and caused HF damage through mechanisms such as reduced keratinocyte proliferation, increased apoptosis, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. The research highlighted the role of p53 and the potential protective effects of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), which reduced apoptosis and increased keratinocyte proliferation. These findings provided insights into the complex mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) and suggested potential strategies for mitigating hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy.