Permanent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Treated With Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil

February 2022 in “ JAAD case reports ”

Anna Lyakhovitsky, Oz Segal, Alexander Maly, Abraham Zlotogorski, Aviv Barzilai

chemotherapy-induced alopecia hematopoietic stem cell transplantation low-dose oral minoxidil permanent alopecia scalp prosthesis pCIA stem cell transplant LDOM

Studysummary This case report describes a patient with permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia who experienced full hair regrowth after treatment with low-dose oral minoxidil.

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

This document presents a case report of a patient who developed permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia (pCIA) after a stem cell transplant. The patient experienced total hair loss and minimal regrowth, which did not improve after 18 months. They then used a scalp prosthesis but eventually tried low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM), which resulted in complete hair regrowth. This treatment option shows promise for pCIA, as previous treatments have been ineffective. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of LDOM in this patient population.

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Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Response to Treatment of Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Survivors

research Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Response to Treatment of Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Survivors

10 citations , September 2021 in “JAMA Dermatology”

This study reports that persistent chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer patients frequently resembles androgenetic alopecia, and treatment with minoxidil, alone or with antiandrogens, improved hair density in many cases.

research Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss: A Multicenter Study of 1404 Patients

39 citations , February 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss was associated with infrequent systemic adverse effects, and only 1.7% of patients discontinued treatment due to these effects.

research Clinical and Histological Study of Permanent Alopecia After Bone Marrow Transplantation

23 citations , December 2015 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

This study identified two distinct histological patterns in permanent alopecia following bone marrow transplantation, suggesting links to myeloablative chemotherapy and chronic graft-versus-host disease.

research Treatment of Permanent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia with Low Dose Oral Minoxidil

36 citations , May 2015 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

This case report described cosmetically significant hair regrowth in a 39-year-old woman with permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia after continuous oral minoxidil use.

research Permanent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: Case Report and Review of the Literature

67 citations , May 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article discusses a unique case of permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia in a patient receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer, characterized by a distinctive histologic finding and excludes bone marrow transplantation, but reports no new clinical results.

research Six Cases of Permanent Alopecia After Various Conditioning Regimens Commonly Used in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

40 citations , September 2007 in “Bone marrow transplantation”

Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent hair loss in stem cell transplant patients.

research Permanent Alopecia Following Chemotherapy and Bone Marrow Transplantation

63 citations , May 2000 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

This case study reported a 23-year-old woman with chronic myeloid leukemia who developed permanent hair loss after chemotherapy and did not respond to topical minoxidil treatment.