Old Wine in New Bottles: Reviving Old Therapies for Alopecia Areata Using Rodent Models

October 2003 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings ”

Lisa Tang, John P. Sundberg, Harvey Lui, Jerry Shapiro

anthralin mechlorethamine alopecia areata cytokine expressions TNF-α IL-12 IFN-y infiltrative lymphocytes AA tumor necrosis factor alpha interleukin-12 interferon gamma

TLDR Old treatments for other skin conditions showed promise for hair regrowth in mice with a hair loss condition.

In the 2003 study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of anthralin and mechlorethamine, older treatments originally used for psoriasis and cutaneous T cell lymphoma, in treating alopecia areata (AA) using rodent models. The study demonstrated that anthralin induced significant hair regrowth in 64% of AA-affected C3H/HeJ mice and complete regrowth in DEBR rats, while mechlorethamine resulted in full hair coverage in AA-affected mice. These treatments were found to act by targeting infiltrative lymphocytes and modulating cytokine expressions, such as inhibiting TNF-α/B, IL-12, and IFN-y. The findings suggest the potential for repurposing these older therapies for AA treatment and highlight the value of rodent models in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved. The number of rodents used in the study was not specified.

View this study on jidsponline.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Topical Mechlorethamine Restores Autoimmune-Arrested Follicular Activity in Mice with an Alopecia Areata-Like Disease by Targeting Infiltrated Lymphocytes

19 citations , March 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Mechlorethamine treatment regrew hair in mice by killing immune cells causing hair loss without harming hair follicles.

research Experimental Induction of Alopecia Areata-Like Hair Loss in C3H/HeJ Mice Using Full-Thickness Skin Grafts

131 citations , November 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Skin grafts on mice can cause an immune response leading to hair loss, useful for studying human hair loss conditions.

research Hair Regrowth

118 citations , April 1998 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair regrowth, while treatments for alopecia areata have varying success and continuous treatment is necessary.

research The Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

89 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Alopecia areata is likely caused by a combination of genetic factors and immune system dysfunction, and may represent different diseases with various causes.

research Genetic Control of Cytokines

23 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic clinics”

Genes affect cytokine production, which can influence chronic diseases, and certain interventions may help prevent related molecular damage.

research Mouse Models for the Study of Human Hair Loss

36 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Mice are useful for researching human hair loss and testing treatments, despite some differences between species.

research Evaluation of Anthralin in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

109 citations , November 1987 in “Archives of dermatology”

Anthralin cream helped 25% of patients with severe alopecia areata regrow hair, but caused skin irritation.