Retrospective Evaluation of Penguin Cold Caps for Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

March 2024 in “ Supportive Care in Cancer ”

Dale Weaver, Michelle Pershing, Bethany Golden, Laura L. Hammel, Pauline Kefalas Russ, Mark Cripe

Penguin Cold Caps chemotherapy-induced alopecia cold capping doxorubicin paclitaxel docetaxel cold caps CIA

Studysummary In this study, manual cold capping was found to be effective in minimizing chemotherapy-induced alopecia, with 92.1% of patients retaining 50% or more of their hair, although effectiveness varied with different chemotherapy regimens.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Penguin Cold Caps in minimizing chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) among 100 patients, with 95% completing the cold capping process. The median-reported hair retention was 75%, and 92.1% of patients experienced favorable results, defined as retaining at least 50% of their hair. The success of hair retention was significantly influenced by the type of chemotherapy regimen, with lower success rates for doxorubicin-containing regimens compared to paclitaxel and docetaxel regimens. No significant differences in success were observed based on patient race/ethnicity or hair characteristics. The study suggests that adherence to cold capping protocols may contribute to the high effectiveness observed.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Redefining The Crown: Approaching Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia Among Black Patients With Breast Cancer

5 citations , March 2023 in “Cancer”

This article highlights the need for oncologists to better understand the profound impact of chemotherapy-induced alopecia on Black breast cancer patients, recognizing its unique historical and cultural significance.

research Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia With Scalp Cooling

25 citations , March 2018 in “Journal of oncology practice”

This study found that scalp cooling effectively reduces chemotherapy-induced hair loss, especially with taxane-based regimens, and recent U.S. trials support its safety, despite logistical and insurance challenges.

research Scalp Hypothermia as a Preventative Measure for Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: A Review of Controlled Clinical Trials

37 citations , October 2017 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This literature review reported that scalp hypothermia significantly decreases the occurrence of chemotherapy-induced alopecia, increasing effectiveness by 2.7-fold in controlled clinical trials and 3.9-fold in randomized trials, and highlighted a need for standard guidelines for its use.

research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia Management: Clinical Experience and Practical Advice

48 citations , February 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This proposal reviews current knowledge and suggests actions for managing chemotherapy‐induced alopecia but reports no new clinical results, highlighting the need for evidence‐based guidelines.

research Efficacy of Interventions for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

110 citations , August 2014 in “International journal of cancer”

This study found that scalp cooling significantly reduced the risk of chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer patients, while topical minoxidil and other interventions did not show significant efficacy.

research Systematic Approach to Hair Loss in Women

45 citations , March 2010 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft”

This article discusses methods for diagnosing and managing diffuse hair loss and reports no new results; the authors emphasize systematic evaluation and the importance of psychological support.