Pathologic Dynamics of Human Hair Loss

Dr. Frederick D. Malkinson addresses a misquotation by A. Kligman regarding the effects of colchicine on hair loss. Malkinson clarifies that their research demonstrated colchicine induces anagen hair loss in rats and mice, and their human studies showed increased telogen hairs due to rapid shedding, not broken anagen hairs. They proposed that colchicine might induce catagen, leading to telogen and subsequent hair loss due to follicular damage. Malkinson emphasizes that their findings apply to low, prolonged doses, while high doses cause anagen alopecia, a prediction later confirmed by other researchers. Dr. Kligman apologizes for any offense caused by his remarks.