Stem Cell: Current and Future State

In the 2017 document, Nilofer Farjo highlighted the promise of using stem cells for hair follicle regeneration to treat hair loss, focusing on the capabilities of dermal papilla (DP) and connective tissue sheath (CTS) cells. Despite their ability to induce hair follicle formation, challenges persist in maintaining their hair-generating properties in vitro and effectively delivering them into scalp tissue. Although studies confirmed the regenerative abilities of DP and CTS cells, they did not lead to an increase in hair count. Efforts to culture these cells have involved various growth factors and cell culture systems, but the loss of hair-forming ability was attributed to the lack of crucial dermal-epidermal interactions. Early clinical trials, starting in 2008, demonstrated safety but not significant results. The document concluded that, as of its writing, no effective commercial product for hair regeneration had been developed, and the challenge of achieving cosmetically significant outcomes for humans remained.