TLDR Prostaglandins may protect hair follicles during chemotherapy.
Hair follicles undergo anagen (growth), catagen (involution), and telogen (resting) phases. Chemotherapy-induced hair loss occurs due to disruption of mitosis in anagen-phase hair matrix cells, with scalp hair being highly affected as 85%-90% of scalp follicles are in the anagen phase. Combined chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin caused hair loss in 92% of patients, with 69.5% experiencing complete alopecia. Prostaglandin analogs like latanoprost have been shown to increase eyelash number, thickness, and length by inducing follicles into the anagen phase. In an animal model, topical misoprostol before doxorubicin therapy increased residual hair. These findings suggest prostaglandins may protect hair follicles during chemotherapy, warranting further investigation.
162 citations,
August 2002 in “Survey of Ophthalmology” Latanoprost can make eyelashes longer, thicker, and darker.
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.
159 citations,
July 2006 in “Endocrine Reviews” Estrogens significantly influence hair growth by interacting with receptors in hair follicles and may help regulate the hair growth cycle.
15 citations,
September 2008 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Roxithromycin, an antibiotic, can increase hair growth and might be used as a treatment for hair loss.
120 citations,
November 2014 in “Biological Reviews” The telogen phase of hair growth is active and important for preparing hair follicles for regeneration, not just a resting stage.
109 citations,
October 2007 in “Journal of pineal research” Melatonin helps regulate hair growth and protects the hair follicle from stress.
11 citations,
September 2014 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Mycophenolate helps reverse hair loss effects caused by IFN-γ by activating a key hair growth pathway.
162 citations,
August 2002 in “Survey of Ophthalmology” Latanoprost can make eyelashes longer, thicker, and darker.