Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

June 2020 in “ Dermatology practical & conceptual ”

Alfredo Rossi, Gemma Caro, Maria Caterina Fortuna, Flavia Pigliacelli, Andrea D’Arino, Marta Carlesimo

chemotherapy-induced alopecia scalp cooling minoxidil bimatoprost topical epinephrine topical norepinephrine Rogaine

TLDR Scalp cooling can help prevent hair loss from chemotherapy, but treatment should be tailored to the individual and more research is needed.

The document from June 2020 discussed chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), a side effect affecting about 65% of chemotherapy patients. It found scalp cooling to be the only FDA-approved method for preventing CIA, but its use was limited and could cause side effects. Drugs like minoxidil and bimatoprost were not recommended during chemotherapy due to lack of efficacy and potential to worsen hair loss, but could be used post-chemotherapy to promote hair regrowth. Topical epinephrine and norepinephrine were found to reduce drug inflow to hair follicles, preserving them, but were not recommended for patients with certain conditions. The study concluded that treatment should be personalized, with no fixed protocol, and further research was needed to develop more effective, personalized treatments for CIA.

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16 / 16 results

research Monitoring Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia With Trichoscopy

23 citations , July 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Chemotherapy caused hair loss with specific patterns, but most patients had hair regrowth after treatment, while some had lasting hair loss.

research Pathogenesis and Treatment Options for Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: A Systematic Review

34 citations , January 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Scalp cooling is the most effective FDA-approved method to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss, but more research is needed for other treatments.

research Multi-Therapies in Androgenetic Alopecia: Review and Clinical Experiences

55 citations , July 2016 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Multiple treatments work best for hair loss.

research Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Bimatoprost Solution 0.03% Application to the Eyelid Margin for the Treatment of Idiopathic and Chemotherapy-Induced Eyelash Hypotrichosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

38 citations , March 2015 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Bimatoprost solution is effective and safe for long-term use in treating eyelash thinning.

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”

Scalp cooling significantly reduces chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

research Human Hair Follicle Stem/Progenitor Cells Express Hypoxia Markers

33 citations , August 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Human hair follicle stem cells show signs of low oxygen levels, which may be important for hair growth and preventing baldness.

research Efficacy and Tolerability of Two Scalp Cooling Systems for the Prevention of Alopecia Associated with Docetaxel Treatment

52 citations , May 2013 in “Supportive Care in Cancer”

Scalp cooling significantly reduces hair loss in chemotherapy patients.

research Pathobiology of Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss

218 citations , February 2013 in “The Lancet Oncology”

Chemotherapy causes hair loss by damaging hair follicles and stem cells, with more research needed for prevention and treatment.

research Permanent Alopecia After Systemic Chemotherapy: A Clinicopathological Study of 10 Cases

57 citations , June 2011 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology”

Chemotherapy can cause permanent, non-reversible hair loss similar to pattern baldness.

research Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss

48 citations , August 2010 in “PubMed”

Chemotherapy often causes hair loss, which is distressing for many, but usually reversible.

research Protection Against Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

97 citations , September 2006 in “Pharmaceutical Research”

No treatment fully prevents hair loss from chemotherapy yet.

research Topical Application of Cyclosporin A Induces Rapid Remodeling of Damaged Anagen Hair Follicles in Cyclophosphamide-Administered Mice

24 citations , September 2001 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Cyclosporin A helps damaged hair follicles regrow hair quickly.

research Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Rats by CDK Inhibitors

153 citations , January 2001 in “Science”

Using CDK inhibitors on rats showed a reduction in chemotherapy-caused hair loss, but later experiments could not repeat these results.

research A Randomized Trial of Minoxidil in Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

127 citations , July 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil shortens baldness from chemotherapy by 50.2 days without significant side effects.

research Vitamin D3 and Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

11 citations , June 1996 in “Nutrition”

Vitamin D3 may prevent hair loss from chemotherapy, but side effects and cancer cell protection are concerns.

research Minoxidil as a Prophylaxis of Doxorubicin-Induced Alopecia

49 citations , October 1994 in “Annals of Oncology”

Minoxidil not effective in preventing chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

7 / 7 results

research Potential Herbal Medicine for Alopecia Areata Treatment: A Systematic Review

December 2022 in “International journal of research publications”

research Efficacy of Systemic Minoxidil and Tofacitinib Combination in Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Universalis

1 citations , June 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Using minoxidil and tofacitinib together can effectively treat severe hair loss.

research Off-Label Use of Topical Minoxidil in Alopecia: A Review

32 citations , April 2019 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps treat eyebrow thinning, monilethrix, early hair loss, and shortens chemo-related hair loss.

research Alopecia Areata: A Non-Scarring, Multifocal Hair Growth Disorder

May 2011 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology”

Alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss and has no cure, but treatments like corticosteroids and minoxidil can help.

research Alopecia Areata: Evidence-Based Treatments

71 citations , March 2009 in “Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery”

Alopecia areata can cause unpredictable hair loss, and treatments like corticosteroids and minoxidil may help but have varying side effects.

research Topical Minoxidil for Hair Growth in Alopecia Areata and Androgenetica

24 citations , February 1987 in “Drugs”

Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.

research Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

80 citations , October 1983 in “BMJ”

Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in alopecia patients, with 16 having good results and no side effects.