This review looks at recent news, research, and trends related to alopecia.
Long-Term Prognosis for Alopecia More Favorable Than Previously Thought
A new study, published in Dermatology, investigated the current long-term prognosis of individuals with alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AT/AU). In AT and AU, the chance of full hair regrowth is thought to be less than 10%. According to the study authors, this information is based on a few older studies conducted in the 1950s and 1960s.
The retrospective chart review was performed in patients with AT/AU between 1994 and 2005. Outcome data were collected by reviewing outpatient clinical files or by phone interviews. Finally, the long-term assessment of 70 patients with valid outcome data was performed.
Twelve of 70 patients with AT/AU (17.1%) had complete hair regrowth. Five of 24 patients with AT (20.8%) showed complete hair regrowth, and 7 of 46 patients with AU (15.2%) achieved complete regrowth. Seventeen of 70 patients with AT/AU (24.2%) reported hair regrowth ≥90%. Thirty patients with AU (65.2%) remained in an alopecic state without improvement, while 5 patients with AT (20.8%) showed no hair regrowth.
These results suggest that the long-term prognosis of AT/AU is more favorable than previously thought. However, the clinical burden of AT/AU is still substantial, concluded the study authors.
Reference
Jang YH, Hong NS, Moon SY, et al. Long-term prognosis of alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis: a longitudinal study with more than 10 years of follow-up: better than reported. Dermatology [published online July 14, 2017.] doi:10.1159/000477458
Treatment of Pediatric Alopecia Areata With Methotrexate
A recent study, published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, presents a case series reviewing the efficacy of methotrexate in pediatric patients with alopecia areata, using a retrospective chart review design ranging from 2011 to 2016.
Alopecia areata is a form of nonscarring hair loss that occurs in pediatric and adult patients, with presentation varying from round or ovoid patches of alopecia to alopecia totalis or universalis. No definitive treatment exists. Methotrexate is used for psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases, and it is generally well tolerated in children.
In this series, 8 of 14 participants (57%) experienced good regrowth with methotrexate, while 3 of 14 (21%) had a response that could not be assessed due to loss to follow-up or premature discontinuation of the medication. No cases discontinued the medication due to recognized methotrexate side effects.
“This review suggests methotrexate is a generally safe and often effective medication in pediatric alopecia areata,” the authors concluded.
Reference
Landis ET, Pichardo-Geisinger RO. Methotrexate for the treatment of pediatric alopecia areata [published online June 30, 2017]. J Dermatolog Treat. doi:10.1080/09546634.2017.1341608
Finasteride-Loaded Nanoparticles for Potential Treatment of Alopecia
Oral finasteride, a synthetic 4-aza-3-oxosteroid compound with poor aqueous solubility, blocks the peripheral conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in a significant reduction in DHT concentration, achieving satisfactory results in androgenetic alopecia treatment, a common dermatological disorder affecting both men and women. However, oral intake of finasteride has been shown to cause severe side effects. New drug delivery systems able to improve alopecia therapy are needed because there is currently no definitive treatment.
In a recent study, published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, polymeric nanoparticles were proposed as a new carrier for topical delivery of finasteride in hair follicles.
Polymeric nanoparticles showed a mean particle size around 300 nm, which may be sufficient for reaching the dermis and hair follicles and negative zeta potential values. Scanning electron microscope measurements showed that all the polymeric nanoparticles exhibited a spherical shape and a smooth surface regardless of their composition. A high encapsulation efficiency was achieved for finasteride (79.49 ± 0.47%). In vitro release assays in physiological conditions demonstrated that nanoparticles yielded a prolonged release of finasteride for 3 hours. Skin assays through an in vitro permeation study demonstrated that nanoparticles had low levels of penetration of finasteride, improving its time residence onto the skin. All excipients used in nanoparticle composition and in 3 different vehicles were safe.
“These results suggest that the proposed novel formulation presents several good characteristics indicating its suitability for dermal delivery of finasteride for alopecia treatment,” according to the study’s authors.
Reference
Roque LV, Dias IS, Cruz N, et al. Design of finasteride-loaded nanoparticles for potential treatment of alopecia. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2017;30(4):197-204.
This review looks at recent news, research, and trends related to alopecia.
Long-Term Prognosis for Alopecia More Favorable Than Previously Thought
A new study, published in Dermatology, investigated the current long-term prognosis of individuals with alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AT/AU). In AT and AU, the chance of full hair regrowth is thought to be less than 10%. According to the study authors, this information is based on a few older studies conducted in the 1950s and 1960s.
The retrospective chart review was performed in patients with AT/AU between 1994 and 2005. Outcome data were collected by reviewing outpatient clinical files or by phone interviews. Finally, the long-term assessment of 70 patients with valid outcome data was performed.
Twelve of 70 patients with AT/AU (17.1%) had complete hair regrowth. Five of 24 patients with AT (20.8%) showed complete hair regrowth, and 7 of 46 patients with AU (15.2%) achieved complete regrowth. Seventeen of 70 patients with AT/AU (24.2%) reported hair regrowth ≥90%. Thirty patients with AU (65.2%) remained in an alopecic state without improvement, while 5 patients with AT (20.8%) showed no hair regrowth.
These results suggest that the long-term prognosis of AT/AU is more favorable than previously thought. However, the clinical burden of AT/AU is still substantial, concluded the study authors.
Reference
Jang YH, Hong NS, Moon SY, et al. Long-term prognosis of alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis: a longitudinal study with more than 10 years of follow-up: better than reported. Dermatology [published online July 14, 2017.] doi:10.1159/000477458
Treatment of Pediatric Alopecia Areata With Methotrexate
A recent study, published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, presents a case series reviewing the efficacy of methotrexate in pediatric patients with alopecia areata, using a retrospective chart review design ranging from 2011 to 2016.
Alopecia areata is a form of nonscarring hair loss that occurs in pediatric and adult patients, with presentation varying from round or ovoid patches of alopecia to alopecia totalis or universalis. No definitive treatment exists. Methotrexate is used for psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases, and it is generally well tolerated in children.
In this series, 8 of 14 participants (57%) experienced good regrowth with methotrexate, while 3 of 14 (21%) had a response that could not be assessed due to loss to follow-up or premature discontinuation of the medication. No cases discontinued the medication due to recognized methotrexate side effects.
“This review suggests methotrexate is a generally safe and often effective medication in pediatric alopecia areata,” the authors concluded.
Reference
Landis ET, Pichardo-Geisinger RO. Methotrexate for the treatment of pediatric alopecia areata [published online June 30, 2017]. J Dermatolog Treat. doi:10.1080/09546634.2017.1341608
Finasteride-Loaded Nanoparticles for Potential Treatment of Alopecia
Oral finasteride, a synthetic 4-aza-3-oxosteroid compound with poor aqueous solubility, blocks the peripheral conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in a significant reduction in DHT concentration, achieving satisfactory results in androgenetic alopecia treatment, a common dermatological disorder affecting both men and women. However, oral intake of finasteride has been shown to cause severe side effects. New drug delivery systems able to improve alopecia therapy are needed because there is currently no definitive treatment.
In a recent study, published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, polymeric nanoparticles were proposed as a new carrier for topical delivery of finasteride in hair follicles.
Polymeric nanoparticles showed a mean particle size around 300 nm, which may be sufficient for reaching the dermis and hair follicles and negative zeta potential values. Scanning electron microscope measurements showed that all the polymeric nanoparticles exhibited a spherical shape and a smooth surface regardless of their composition. A high encapsulation efficiency was achieved for finasteride (79.49 ± 0.47%). In vitro release assays in physiological conditions demonstrated that nanoparticles yielded a prolonged release of finasteride for 3 hours. Skin assays through an in vitro permeation study demonstrated that nanoparticles had low levels of penetration of finasteride, improving its time residence onto the skin. All excipients used in nanoparticle composition and in 3 different vehicles were safe.
“These results suggest that the proposed novel formulation presents several good characteristics indicating its suitability for dermal delivery of finasteride for alopecia treatment,” according to the study’s authors.
Reference
Roque LV, Dias IS, Cruz N, et al. Design of finasteride-loaded nanoparticles for potential treatment of alopecia. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2017;30(4):197-204.
This review looks at recent news, research, and trends related to alopecia.
Long-Term Prognosis for Alopecia More Favorable Than Previously Thought
A new study, published in Dermatology, investigated the current long-term prognosis of individuals with alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AT/AU). In AT and AU, the chance of full hair regrowth is thought to be less than 10%. According to the study authors, this information is based on a few older studies conducted in the 1950s and 1960s.
The retrospective chart review was performed in patients with AT/AU between 1994 and 2005. Outcome data were collected by reviewing outpatient clinical files or by phone interviews. Finally, the long-term assessment of 70 patients with valid outcome data was performed.
Twelve of 70 patients with AT/AU (17.1%) had complete hair regrowth. Five of 24 patients with AT (20.8%) showed complete hair regrowth, and 7 of 46 patients with AU (15.2%) achieved complete regrowth. Seventeen of 70 patients with AT/AU (24.2%) reported hair regrowth ≥90%. Thirty patients with AU (65.2%) remained in an alopecic state without improvement, while 5 patients with AT (20.8%) showed no hair regrowth.
These results suggest that the long-term prognosis of AT/AU is more favorable than previously thought. However, the clinical burden of AT/AU is still substantial, concluded the study authors.
Reference
Jang YH, Hong NS, Moon SY, et al. Long-term prognosis of alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis: a longitudinal study with more than 10 years of follow-up: better than reported. Dermatology [published online July 14, 2017.] doi:10.1159/000477458
Treatment of Pediatric Alopecia Areata With Methotrexate
A recent study, published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, presents a case series reviewing the efficacy of methotrexate in pediatric patients with alopecia areata, using a retrospective chart review design ranging from 2011 to 2016.
Alopecia areata is a form of nonscarring hair loss that occurs in pediatric and adult patients, with presentation varying from round or ovoid patches of alopecia to alopecia totalis or universalis. No definitive treatment exists. Methotrexate is used for psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases, and it is generally well tolerated in children.
In this series, 8 of 14 participants (57%) experienced good regrowth with methotrexate, while 3 of 14 (21%) had a response that could not be assessed due to loss to follow-up or premature discontinuation of the medication. No cases discontinued the medication due to recognized methotrexate side effects.
“This review suggests methotrexate is a generally safe and often effective medication in pediatric alopecia areata,” the authors concluded.
Reference
Landis ET, Pichardo-Geisinger RO. Methotrexate for the treatment of pediatric alopecia areata [published online June 30, 2017]. J Dermatolog Treat. doi:10.1080/09546634.2017.1341608
Finasteride-Loaded Nanoparticles for Potential Treatment of Alopecia
Oral finasteride, a synthetic 4-aza-3-oxosteroid compound with poor aqueous solubility, blocks the peripheral conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in a significant reduction in DHT concentration, achieving satisfactory results in androgenetic alopecia treatment, a common dermatological disorder affecting both men and women. However, oral intake of finasteride has been shown to cause severe side effects. New drug delivery systems able to improve alopecia therapy are needed because there is currently no definitive treatment.
In a recent study, published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, polymeric nanoparticles were proposed as a new carrier for topical delivery of finasteride in hair follicles.
Polymeric nanoparticles showed a mean particle size around 300 nm, which may be sufficient for reaching the dermis and hair follicles and negative zeta potential values. Scanning electron microscope measurements showed that all the polymeric nanoparticles exhibited a spherical shape and a smooth surface regardless of their composition. A high encapsulation efficiency was achieved for finasteride (79.49 ± 0.47%). In vitro release assays in physiological conditions demonstrated that nanoparticles yielded a prolonged release of finasteride for 3 hours. Skin assays through an in vitro permeation study demonstrated that nanoparticles had low levels of penetration of finasteride, improving its time residence onto the skin. All excipients used in nanoparticle composition and in 3 different vehicles were safe.
“These results suggest that the proposed novel formulation presents several good characteristics indicating its suitability for dermal delivery of finasteride for alopecia treatment,” according to the study’s authors.
Reference
Roque LV, Dias IS, Cruz N, et al. Design of finasteride-loaded nanoparticles for potential treatment of alopecia. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2017;30(4):197-204.
