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Scientific Reports Feb 2024Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a common and debilitating condition in children, with limited research on its characteristics and treatment. Therefore, this study...
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a common and debilitating condition in children, with limited research on its characteristics and treatment. Therefore, this study aims to describe the characteristics of pediatric patients with CIA and the treatment outcomes of topical minoxidil and L-cystine, medicinal yeast, and pantothenic acid complex-based dietary supplements (CYP). This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from patients who underwent high-dose conditioning chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and were treated with either topical minoxidil or CYP for CIA between January 2011 and January 2022. Among the 70 patients evaluated, 61 (87.1%) experienced clinical improvement. Patients in the groups with superior treatment outcomes received a greater cumulative amount of minoxidil and underwent treatment for a more extended duration (P < 0.05) than those in the other groups. All 70 (100%) patients received topical minoxidil, and 42 (60%) were administered CYP. Hair thickness was significantly higher in the combination therapy group than in the minoxidil monotherapy group (21.4% vs. 9.3%, P = 0.02). However, only 3 (4.3%) patients reported mild and self-limiting adverse events. In conclusion, our study shows that minoxidil and CYP administration represent viable treatment options for pediatric CIA.
Topics: Humans; Child; Minoxidil; Retrospective Studies; Alopecia; Treatment Outcome; Dietary Supplements; Antineoplastic Agents; Administration, Topical
PubMed: 38388674
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53054-8 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Feb 2024To determine the levels of zinc in hair and serum samples of chronic telogen effluvium patients.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the levels of zinc in hair and serum samples of chronic telogen effluvium patients.
METHODS
The case-control study was conducted at the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from April 2017 to May 2018, and comprised diagnosed cases of chronic telogen effluvium in group A, and healthy controls matched for age and gender in group B. Hair pull test was done, and level of zinc in hair and serum samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.
RESULTS
Of the 100 subjects, 50(50%) were in group A; 28(56%) females ad 22(44%) males with mean age 27.46±4.98 years. There were 50(50%) subejcts in group B; 26(52%) males ad 24(48%) females with mean age 28.34±4.92 years (p>0.05). Significantly low levels of zinc were observed in serum as well as hair samples in group A compared to group B (p<0.05). A positive significant association was observed in the level of zinc in hair with their concentration in the serum of subjects in both the groups (r=0.310, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Low levels of zinc in hair and serum were found to be associated with chronic telogen effluvium.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Case-Control Studies; Zinc; Alopecia; Hair; Alopecia Areata
PubMed: 38385471
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA-DUHS-S10 -
Lasers in Medical Science Feb 2024It has been recently established that laser treatment can be combined with topical or intralesional medications to enhance the delivery of drugs and improve overall... (Review)
Review
It has been recently established that laser treatment can be combined with topical or intralesional medications to enhance the delivery of drugs and improve overall results in a variety of different dermatological disorders. The aim of this review is to evaluate the use of laser and energy-assisted drug delivery (LEADD) for the treatment of alopecia with a specific focus on ablative fractional lasers (AFL), non-ablative fractional lasers (NAFL), and radiofrequency microneedling (RFMN). A comprehensive PubMed search was performed in December 2022 for "laser-assisted drug delivery" as well as "laser" and "alopecia." The evidence regarding LEADD for alopecia treatment is limited to two specific alopecia subtypes: alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA)/pattern hair loss (PHL). LEADD with minoxidil and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were evaluated for efficacy in both treatments of AA and AGA. LEADD with topical corticosteroids and intralesional methotrexate were studied for the treatment of AA, while LEADD with growth factors and stem cells were studied for the treatment of AGA. Multiple RCTs evaluated LEADD for topical corticosteroids with ablative fractional lasers for the treatment of AA. There is evidence in the literature that supports the use of topical minoxidil in combination with all devices for the treatment of AGA/PHL. All the reviewed studies show a positive treatment effect with LADD; however, some trials did not find LEADD to be superior to monotherapy or microneedling-assisted drug delivery. LEADD is a rapidly emerging treatment modality for the treatment of AGA and AA.
Topics: Humans; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Minoxidil; Alopecia Areata; Lasers; Adrenal Cortex Hormones
PubMed: 38381230
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-04015-0 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Feb 2024Folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris phenotypic spectrum has been described as a form of cicatricial alopecia. The aim of this study is to describe the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris phenotypic spectrum has been described as a form of cicatricial alopecia. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and trichoscopic features and therapeutic management of this condition in a series of patients. A retrospective observational unicentre study was designed including patients with folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris phenotypic spectrum confirmed with biopsy. A total of 31 patients (20 females) were included. The most common presentation was an isolated plaque of alopecia (61.3%) in the vertex. Trichoscopy revealed hair tufting with perifollicular white scaling in all cases. The duration of the condition was the only factor associated with large plaques (grade III) of alopecia (p = 0.026). The mean time to transition from the classic presentation of folliculitis decalvans to folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris phenotypic spectrum was 5.2 years. The most frequently used treatments were topical steroids (80.6%), intralesional steroids (64.5%) and topical antibiotics (32.3%). Nine clinical relapses were detected after a mean time of 18 months (range 12-23 months). Folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris phenotypic spectrum is an infrequent, but probably underdiagnosed, cicatricial alopecia. Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs used for lichen planopilaris may be an adequate approach.
Topics: Female; Humans; Alopecia; Cicatrix; Folliculitis; Lichen Planus; Retrospective Studies; Steroids
PubMed: 38372472
DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.12373 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2024trichoscopic and histopathological evaluation of non-scarring systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) alopecia is uncommon. We aimed to document the prevalence, pattern of...
Non-scarring alopecia in systemic lupus erythematosus patients at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital: a cross-sectional study of prevalence, pattern, trichoscopy features and histopathological analysis.
INTRODUCTION
trichoscopic and histopathological evaluation of non-scarring systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) alopecia is uncommon. We aimed to document the prevalence, pattern of hair loss, trichoscopic and histopathologic differences between systemic lupus erythematosus patients with and without hair loss.
METHODS
this was a cross-sectional comparative study of 75 systemic lupus erythematosus patients, 36 with hair loss from February to December 2020. Trichoscopic evaluation was conducted on all 75 patients. Twenty-three patients (12 with hair loss and 11 without) had scalp biopsies with mucin deposit evaluation. Disease activity was documented using the SLE disease activity index. Data was analyzed using SPSS 22.
RESULTS
the mean age of the patients was 33.7 ± 12.4 years. Non-scarring alopecia was observed in 48%. The pattern of hair loss was <4 patches in 44.4%, mild diffuse in 25%, and severe diffuse in 30.6%. Disease activity was mild in 38.9%. Hair shaft changes included thin hair (97.2%), decreased number of hairs per follicular unit (97.2%), hypopigmented hair (85.7%), and follicular red dots (27.8%). Significant differences between the two groups were; a reduction in size and number of sebaceous glands on histopathology, hair shaft, and scalp pigmentary changes in the hair loss group.
CONCLUSION
the prevalence of non-scaring alopecia is high in SLE patients with patchy type as the commonest pattern. Trichoscopic and histopathologic differences exist in SLE patients with and without hair loss and the normal-appearing scalp in SLE patients is involved in the inflammatory process. Hair shaft thinning, hypopigmentation, and scalp pigmentary changes occur in SLE.
Topics: Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prevalence; Universities; Nigeria; Alopecia; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Hospitals, Teaching
PubMed: 38371645
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.9.33647 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2024Alopecia areata (AA) is a common non-scarring hair loss condition driven by the collapse of immune privilege and oxidative stress. The role of ferroptosis, a type of...
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common non-scarring hair loss condition driven by the collapse of immune privilege and oxidative stress. The role of ferroptosis, a type of cell death linked to oxidative stress, in AA is yet to be explored, even though it's implicated in various diseases. Using transcriptome data from AA patients and controls from datasets GSE68801 and GSE80342, we aimed to identify AA diagnostic marker genes linked to ferroptosis. We employed Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) for immune cell infiltration evaluation. Correlations between ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (FRDEGs) and immune cells/functions were identified using Spearman analysis. Feature selection was done through Support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) and LASSO regression models. Validation was performed using the GSE80342 dataset, followed by hierarchical internal validation. We also constructed a nomogram to assess the predictive ability of FRDEGs in AA. Furthermore, the expression and distribution of these molecules were confirmed through immunofluorescence. Four genes, namely SLC40A1, LCN2, CREB5, and SLC7A11, were identified as markers for AA. A prediction model based on these genes showed high accuracy (AUC = 0.9052). Immunofluorescence revealed reduced expression of these molecules in AA patients compared to normal controls (NC), with SLC40A1 and CREB5 showing significant differences. Notably, they were primarily localized to the outer root sheath and in proximity to the sebaceous glands. Our study identified several ferroptosis-related genes associated with AA. These findings, emerging from the integration of immune cell infiltration analysis and machine learning, contribute to the evolving understanding of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in AA. Importantly, this research lays a solid foundation for subsequent studies exploring the intricate relationship between AA and ferroptosis.
Topics: Humans; Alopecia Areata; Amino Acid Transport System y+; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein A; Ferroptosis; Lipocalin-2; Machine Learning; Genetic Markers
PubMed: 38360836
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54278-4 -
Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Incidence; Outpatients; COVID-19; Alopecia Areata
PubMed: 38356487
DOI: 10.30476/IJMS.2023.98516.3053 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... Feb 2024In this study, the safety and efficacy of scalp repair serum microneedles combined with oral drug administration and topical medication were investigated for the...
OBJECTIVE
In this study, the safety and efficacy of scalp repair serum microneedles combined with oral drug administration and topical medication were investigated for the treatment of moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia.
METHODS
Twenty patients, consisting of 4 males and 16 females, who sought treatment for moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia at our hair medicine research center alopecia specialty clinic between August and December 2022 were randomly selected for the study. Male patients underwent oral administration of finasteride topical application of 5% minoxidil, and biweekly scalp repair serum microneedle therapy. Female patients were administered spironolactone or Diane-35 orally and applied 2% minoxidil topically, paired with biweekly scalp repair serum microneedle therapy sessions. After seven treatments, the scalp repair serum microneedle was discontinued, but oral administration and topical applications were continued, followed by a 1-month follow-up. Using a hair dermoscopy, hair follicles in a fixed region on the top of the head were manually counted per unit area to evaluate the hair restoration status of the patients quantitatively.
RESULTS
All 20 patients completed 3 months of combined therapy and a 1-month follow-up. On average, the patients experienced an increase of 42.6 hairs, with an efficiency rate of 100%. Significant differences were observed in hair count between any two of the first seven treatments (p < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was discovered between the initial pre-treatment hair count and the total improvement of hair (p < 0.001), indicating that the greater the degree of hair loss before treatment, the more pronounced the improvement.
CONCLUSION
Scalp repair serum microneedle combined therapy in moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia significantly reduces the number of microneedle treatments required, enhances treatment efficacy, and improves therapeutic outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Minoxidil; Scalp; Alopecia; Hair; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38348763
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13612 -
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment Dec 2024A growing body of research supports the important role of the TH2 axis in alopecia areata (AA). Dupilumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against IL-4Rα that... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A growing body of research supports the important role of the TH2 axis in alopecia areata (AA). Dupilumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against IL-4Rα that downregulates TH2 response. Although efficacy has been shown in clinical trials, real-world data on the use of dupilumab in AA patients is limited.
OBJECTIVES
To report on a case series of 10 patients with AA who were treated with dupilumab and provide real-world evidence regarding its efficacy in treating severe AA.
METHODS
In this retrospective single-center study, all AA patients treated with dupilumab treatment were included between May 2022 and October 2023. Clinical outcome measures (Severity of Alopecia Tool, SALT) and adverse events (AEs) were analyzed. In addition, a literature review was conducted to summarize the efficacy of AA with dupilumab and the characteristics of patients previously reported in the literature.
RESULTS
We identified 10 patients with AA who were or are being treated with dupilumab, with a median (range) treatment duration of 8 (3-15) months. Of these, four patients have high serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels (≥200IU/ml). The mean (IQR) pretreatment SALT score was 79% (52-100). Seven of 10 patients achieved at least 50% re-growth. Of those who improved, the mean (IQR) percentage change in SALT score at 3 months and the end of follow-up was 57% (29%-89%) and 95% (68-100), respectively. Notably, seven patients (70%) had white hair regrowth, with the white hair slowly decreasing over time and the proportion of pigmented black hair increasing. Dupilumab was well tolerated by all patients. No adverse events were reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, our research supports dupilumab as another candidate that possesses potential benefits for AA. High levels of IgE may be not prerequisites for dupilumab's successful treatment response.
Topics: Humans; Alopecia; Alopecia Areata; Immunoglobulin E; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38342501
DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2024.2312245 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024Hair luster is a key attribute of healthy hair and a crucial aspect of cosmetic appeal, reflecting the overall health and vitality of hair. Despite its significance, the...
Hair luster is a key attribute of healthy hair and a crucial aspect of cosmetic appeal, reflecting the overall health and vitality of hair. Despite its significance, the advancement of therapeutic strategies for hair luster enhancement have been limited due to the absence of an effective experimental model. This study aimed to establish a novel animal model to assess hair gloss, employing ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on C57BL/6 mice. Specifically, UVB irradiation was meticulously applied to the shaved skin of these mice, simulating conditions that typically lead to hair luster loss in humans. The regrowth and characteristics of the hair were evaluated using a dual approach: an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) scale for subjective assessment and an image-based pixel-count method for objective quantification. These methods provided a comprehensive understanding of the changes in hair quality post-irradiation. To explore the potential reversibility of hair luster changes, oral minoxidil was administered, a treatment known for its effects on hair growth and texture. Further, to gain insights into the underlying biological mechanisms, bulk RNA transcriptomic analysis of skin tissue was conducted. This analysis revealed significant alterations in the expression of keratin-associated protein (KRTAP) genes, suggesting modifications in hair keratin crosslinking due to UV exposure. These changes are crucial in understanding the molecular dynamics affecting hair luster. The development of this new mouse model is a significant advancement in hair care research. It not only facilitates the evaluation of hair luster in a controlled setting but also opens avenues for the research and development of innovative therapeutic strategies. This model holds promise for the formulation of more effective hair care products and treatments, potentially revolutionizing the approach towards managing and enhancing hair luster.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Hair; Ultraviolet Rays; Alopecia; Skin; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38339167
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031885