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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Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

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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.

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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.

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55 citations, July 2016 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Multiple treatments work best for hair loss.

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

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38 citations, October 2014 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

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

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

Scalp cooling significantly reduces chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

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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, January 2013 in “The Lancet Oncology”

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

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57 citations, March 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.

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97 citations, September 2006 in “Pharmaceutical Research”

No treatment fully prevents hair loss from chemotherapy yet.

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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11 citations, June 1996 in “Nutrition”

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

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49 citations, October 1994 in “Annals of Oncology”

Minoxidil not effective in preventing chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

Related Research

7 / 7 results

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

December 2022 in “International journal of research publications”

Herbal medicine might be a good alternative for treating hair loss.

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

1 citations, October 2020 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, January 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.

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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.

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24 citations, February 1987 in “Drugs”

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

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80 citations, October 1983 in “BMJ”

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