Smoothened Antagonists for Hair Inhibition

Pilose antler extracts may promote hair growth in androgenetic alopecia by activating hair follicle stem cells through the AKT and Wnt pathways. However, results in mice may not directly apply to humans due to differences in genetic and biochemical conditions.

A South Korean company, Therazyne, has developed a promising hair loss treatment using a WNT chain surrogate that binds to Frizzled 7, with human follicle testing expected soon. Current treatments like minoxidil and finasteride are not seen as cures, and while optimism exists for future solutions like PP405, approval processes are lengthy.

PP405 is a potential hair loss treatment undergoing trials, with discussions on its effectiveness and comparison to existing treatments like finasteride and minoxidil. There is skepticism about its status as a cure, with hopes for future advancements in genetic treatments like CRISPR.

DHT may inhibit hair growth by affecting mitochondrial function, leading to hair follicle miniaturization. Treatments like minoxidil and PP405 may promote hair growth by altering metabolic pathways, potentially counteracting DHT's effects.

PP405, a topical treatment, shows promise for hair growth by activating inactive follicles, with 66% of participants experiencing positive results. The treatment is well-tolerated and may proceed directly to Phase 3 trials, offering a potential alternative to minoxidil and finasteride.

SCUBE3, a protein linked to hair growth in moles, was discovered over 25 years ago and is being developed by Amplifica for potential hair loss treatment. Concerns exist about SCUBE3's association with cancer, as it is a protein that promotes cell growth, which could potentially trigger cancer development if used for hair growth therapy.