The drug, ruxolitinib, which was
approved for bone marrow disorder and autoimmune diseases such as cancer is
said to have improved hair loss in affected study participants. They
are those, like many others, who are suffering from the physical and
psychosocial impact of hair loss. This concern has still spurred studies due to
the demand of a reliable and convenient treatment.
Usual
hair loss treatment options
Cortisone injections and hair
transplant surgery, although highly effective, may require some amount of
discomfort and time to heal. Patients who have isolated patches of baldness may
benefit well with cortisone injections, but they have to consider the fact that
these have to be done regularly and they can
be uncomfortable.
This treatment option can be impossible for those who
experienced baldness all over their scalp. A hair transplant may be a more
plausible option, although would require certain considerations first. But
should a patient choose surgery, they have to understand the risks involved and
the amount of healing that has to take place, on top of the cost. This is why,
as much as it is a very promising hair loss treatment, a lot of hair loss victims place
it as a last option.
Ruxolitinib
This particular drug is a Janus kinase inhibitor, or a JAK inhibitor. It is
used to treat cancer and other inflammatory conditions. These type of drugs
suppress the action of the immune system by blocking certain enzymes.
The
Study
In this study, they chose patients who are suffering from
moderate to sever alopecia areata. This is defined as more than 30% hair loss.
Each of the patient were given 20mg of Ruxolitinib twice daily. Upon
monitoring, it became evident that hair growth was fully restored within 4-5
month's time. It was also discovered that the T-cells, which was responsible
for attacking the hair follicles, were no longer present in the scalps of the
participants.
Breakthrough
The findings of these particular
study was published only recently and it showed that Ruxolitinib was able to
result in hair restoration. The researchers were able to identify the immune
cells that are responsible for destroying the hair follicles in people who are
afflicted with alopecia areata, a hair loss problem known to be an autoimmune
condition. This is when your very own body attacks the hair follicles causing
them to shed and fall off.
This type of hair loss can already
cause anxiety, poor self confidence and disturbs one's body image because it
leaves the head with bald patches. One study participant even shared that his
condition affected his social and even romantic relationships. So if the
results of this study proves to be a reliable solution to hair loss, this will
surely bring relief to numerous hair loss sufferers as it is more convenient to
use.
According to Dr. Raphael Clynes, who was one of the head
researchers of the study, they only just started testing the drug in patients.
They even claimed that if the drug continues to show a good safety profile and
succesful results, it will provide a “positive impact on the lives of people
with this disease.”
Dr. David Bickers of the Departmentof Dermatology at CUMC in a comment about these findings he said:
“There
are few tools in the arsenal for the treatment of alopecia areata that have any
demonstrated efficacy. This is a major step forward in improving the standard
of care for patients suffering from this devastating disease.”
Tofacinib, also a JAK inhibitor and
an approved treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in Europe and the US, also made
waves when studies also showed that it was able to restore a full head of hair
in a human patient. These two drugs have been experimented on mice and both
showed ability to restore hair in those that are affected with alopecia within
12 weeks.
Both Ruxolitinib and Tofacinib in
pill form are able to block immune pathways, which is why it is able to prevent
or correct autoimmune conditions. With that said, it is also true that these
drugs have no connection in treating male pattern-baldness or andorgentic
alopecia – the kind of hair loss that is caused by hormonal irregularities.
This is the kind of balding that is most common among the elderly gentlemen,
but can also affect even those who are still in their twenties.
Even with the promise of a solution,
this drug remains to be considered with caution. It may have the makings of an
effective hair loss drug, but this can also has negative effects to the body
when taken in regular doses. Significant side effects and adverse reactions are
among the important aspects that have to be looked into.
Other experts are also
weighing in that the systematic action of the drug as it is taken orally can
have a toxic effect on the body, which can lead to blood and liver problems
among a slew of ailments. Some even expressed that it would be a greater
breakthrough if the drug can be available as a topical treatment instead.
There is also no assurance as of yet
that as to whether it would work to all patients. But researchers would also
admit that more testing still needs to be done.
