11/6/2015 FDAapproved drugs show promise for rapid and robust hair regrowth

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NICK LAVARS OCTOBER 25, 2015 2 PICTURES

— HEALTH AND WELLBEING

FDA-approved drugs show promisefor rapid and robust hair regrowth

Scientists have found that by suppressing the activity of enzymes in hair

follicles, they may be able to treat certain types of hair loss (Credit:

Shutterstock)

Image Gallery (2 images)

Other than costly transplants, underperforming creams and less-than-convincing

wigs and combovers, those experiencing hair loss aren't exactly spoilt for choice

when it comes to addressing fading follicles. Over the years science has teased

us with a number of promising developments, but none have yet evolved into

market-ready saviours the bare-bonced among us are waiting for. New research

suggests that a solution be on the horizon, however, with scientists discovering

that blocking certain enzyme activity can treat certain kinds of hair loss, with bald

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mice treated in this way sprouting new hair within 10 days.

Last year, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center were looking at

potential treatments for alopecia areata (aka spot baldness), an autoimmune

disease that causes hair loss. The team was exploring the potential of drugs that

inhibit a family of enzymes known as Janus Kinase (JAK) in hair follicles, finding

that the drugs served to turn off the signal that triggers an autoimmune attack,

and that when administered orally it could restore hair growth in some subjects.

But the research produced one other interesting result. Dr Angela Christiano

realized that when the drug was applied to the skin, rather than orally or through

other means, it more effectively promoted hair growth, suggesting that the JAK

drugs where somehow directly interacting with the hair follicles in addition to

preventing an autoimmune attack.

In its latest work, the team has filled in the blanks on its previous findings,

establishing that the JAK inhibitors reawaken the hair follicles from their resting

state. This mimics part of a natural process where hair follicles alternate between

active and dormant phases. Normally the JAK family of enzymes places the

follicles into this resting state. Therefore, by suppressing its activity, the drugs

enable the hair stuck in this sleeping state to re-enter the active part of the cycle.

Applying the JAK drugs to the skin of bald mice over five days saw them grow

new hair within 10 days, while the control group that went untreated remained

bald. After three weeks of treatment, the researchers say the mice had regrown

almost all of their hair. The approach also proved effective in producing longer

hair from human hair follicles grown in culture.

"There aren’t many compounds that can push hair follicles into their growth cycle

so quickly," says. Christiano. "Some topical agents induce tufts of hair here and

there after a few weeks, but very few compounds have this potent an effect so

quickly."

The two drugs used in the study are already approved by the US Food and Drug

Administration, one for the treatment of blood diseases and the other for

rheumatoid arthritis. While the researchers say it is likely they will act on the same

pathways in humans as they do in mice, it is not yet known whether it will

translate to a treatment for pattern baldness in time for Donald Trump's run to the

White House.

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"What we’ve found is promising, though we haven’t yet shown it’s a cure for

pattern baldness," says Christiano. "More work needs to be done to test if JAK

inhibitors can induce hair growth in humans using formulations specially made for

the scalp."

The scientists say they have already begun research in this area with clinical trials

underway for the two drugs for treatment of plaque psoriasis and alopecia

areata.

The teams findings were published in the journal Science Advances.

You can hear from Christiano in the video below.

Source: Columbia University

Blocking Enzymes in Hair Follicles Promotes Hair Growth

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» Hair » Columbia University » Baldness

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About the Author

Nick was born outside of Melbourne, Australia, with a general

curiosity that has drawn him to some distant (and very cold) places.

Somewhere between enduring a winter in the Canadian Rockies

and trekking through Chilean Patagonia, he graduated from

university and pursued a career in journalism. Having worked for publications

such as The Santiago Times and The Conversation, he now writes for Gizmag

from Melbourne, excited by tech and all forms of innovation, the city's bizarre

weather and curried egg sandwiches.

All articles by Nick Lavars

Tags

17 Comments

I am suspicious of the photographs of the rats. It is clear to see that they have

been shaved of their hair on one side. They are not hairless rats specially bred.

So one would naturally expect the hair to grow back normally. The control rat

may well have been shaved on subsequent occasions for the before and after

photos. Many men these days choose to shave off their hair because they like

the look of a bald head. Presumably women like that look on men as well. The

real problem is being half bald, as in male pattern baldness. this is seen as

unattractive. Any treatments are likely to be very expensive and ongoing. As

soon as you stop, the hair stops growing.

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Loved the Donald Trump gag, Nick.

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cjcronin

Bald is BEAUTIFUL,....and FREE!

TonyPolston

Thanks, but I'll wait for the CHEAP gene-therapy solution that analyzes MY

specific DNA, then computes and manufactures a solution specific to my

genetic makeup. Arrival... about five to ten years. I can wait.

kalqlate

The sooner the better, finally. If legit.

Stephen Russell

I wonder how they control where the hair grows? If it was on your face, hands,

feet and privates it might not be wildly popular.

grtbluyonder

Remember these are already available drugs so patents likely are already

passed or soon will be.

jerryd

The few published human case reports for these drugs in hair loss are for

alopecia areata, and its more severe form, alopecia universalis. These

autoimmune conditions are completely different diseases from common

pattern baldness. The lifetime risk for alopecia areata in humans is less than

2%, and alopecia totalis or universalis are much less frequent.

There are no human studies of these drugs on androgenetic alopecia, or

pattern baldness, the most common cause of human hair loss. Their

effectiveness for this condition is doubtful, since the cause is different.

The price for ruxolitinib, per goodrx.com, is $4280 - 11,447, depending on

dose, for a 30 day supply. By comparison, the wholesale price for tofacitinib is

a bargain, at only $2055 monthly, according to Forbes magazine. Neither is

FDA approved for treatment of hair loss. Good luck getting your insurance

company to pay for either drug.

Other treatments for alopecia areata are usually effective, much cheaper, and

safer. AA also often resolves spontaneously.

REJMD

Leave it to the drug companies to invent a drug you have to take for life just to

have your hair back. Although extremely expensive, at least a transplant is a

one time deal. Not a permanent drain on one's wallet for life. Of course only

the wealthiest people in America will be able to afford this drug. What a bunch

of crooks.

ED Ortiz

@Paul Anthony

That commercial voice-over disclaimer rapidly being said, with the happy-

music background, at the end of those ads for some new drug always make

me laugh. Are people really fooled into accepting this soft-sell?

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Oooh yeah.

And those original but weird drug names they give them also crack me up.

Ricinofilactol anyone?

owlbeyou

Anything "FDA approved" is suspect. Fooling around with the body's enzyme

system is stupidity/cupidity to the max. You want to help your hair? Try biotin. It

takes awhile, but it's natural to the body. My advice is to avoid ANY product

produced and hustled by Big Pharma. Profit is their only goal.

PeterNorton

I can hear the commercial voice over now rapidly speaking, "side affects may

include shrinkage of the penis, erectile disfunction..." And so you get more

attractive then... Oh the irony!

Paul Anthony

I used to worry about my bald head. Was it losing me work? Was I perceived

as ugly or old? After a run in with cancer I grew up a bit. Im lucky to be 'this

side of the grass' walking about. I don't care so much about baldness. Just

wear sunscreen is my best advice!

oldguy

Columbia might not have been the first to discover this. In wikipedia checking

Tofacitinib - who the heck comes up with these names BTW -

"In June 2014, scientists at Yale successfully treated a male patient afflicted

with alopecia universalis. The patient was able to grow a full head of hair,

eyebrows, eyelashes, facial, armpit, pubic, and other hair. No side effects were

reported in the study.[15]"

Simon

Sorry Scion, but your comment is naive at best.

Studies like these lead to treatments, that provide revenue streams, that fund

many other research projects with less profit potential.

Furthermore, to discount hair loss as being a trivial disorder, unworthy of

concern, is insulting to any man, woman or child suffering with hair loss.

I am not bald, or overweight, but I still have the emotional capacity to

understand how much what they are going through hurts them, and how

looking in the mirror can be depression inducing. So yeah, this is not the cure

for cancer, but that does not mean it does not important and does not have the

potential to improve millions of lives in a substantial way.

JeffMH1985

This is one of those unfortunate side effects of a market driven research

economy. I'd think it more valuable to understand that we are all born different

and some people lose their hair while others don't. It doesn't mean those that

lose their hair are inferior and clearly they are not less attractive as many

cultural sex symbols and idols of masculinity are lacking in hair (some even

shave their head on purpose). We could then put more money and effort into

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more humanly valuable research. Well at least people with MS / diabetes /

cancer / alzheimers etc will have a full head of hair.

Scion

If it works for Angela it will work for me. Sign me up.

CAVUMark

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