XML FeedsHair loss associated with the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib.
By orphandrugscom on Nov 14, 2009 | In Announcements
J Cutan Pathol. 2009;36:1303
A case report of inflammatory nonscarring alopecia (hair loss) associated with the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib.
Pongpudpunth M, et al
Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are new anticancer agents that act by inhibiting EGFR signaling transduction pathways, thus decreasing tumor growth. In more than 30 countries, EGFRIs are currently used in the treatment of a number of solid tumors, and other indications are being sought. In the United States, select EGFRIs have been approved in certain patients with non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic colorectal carcinoma, and advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Various cutaneous side effects of EGFRIs have been reported, including acneiform eruptions, chronic paronychia, xerosis, a seborrheic dermatitis-like eruption, changes in hair texture, and nonscarring alopecia (hair loss). We present a 60-year-old woman with non-small cell lung cancer who developed a persistent generalized itchy eruption and progressive nonscarring hair loss shortly after initiation of erlotinib (Tarceva). Scalp biopsy showed near-equal number of anagen and catagen/telogen hair follicles, and a superficial and deep perivascular lymphoplasmocytic infiltration. These changes are typical of the nonscarring alopecia induced by EGFRIs. Because it is likely that EGFRIs will be increasingly used, dermatopathologists are likely to see more reactions from these agents. Familiarity with their side effects is essential to accurate diagnosis and effective patient management.
edited for blog
Dr Proctor treats hair loss
By orphandrugscom on Nov 11, 2009 | In Announcements
At the Proctor clinic, we treat hair loss
Prevention of chemotherapy-induced hair loss
By orphandrugscom on Nov 10, 2009 | In Announcements
Life Sci. 2008 Jan 16;82(3-4):218-25. Epub 2007 Dec 3.
Prevention of chemotherapy-induced hair loss by the anti-death FNK protein.
Nakashima-Kamimura N, et al
Many anticancer drugs attack rapidly dividing cells, including not only malignant cells but also hair follicle cells, and induce hair loss. Chemotherapy-induced hair loss or alopecia (CIA) is an emotionally distressing side effect of cancer chemotherapy. There is currently no useful preventive treatment for hair loss in CIA. We have previously constructed anti-death rFNK protein from rat Bcl-x(L) by site-directed mutagenesis ..snip... Here, we show that topical application of FNK protected against CIA in a newborn rat model. The protective activity against hair-loss was observed in 30-1000 nM TAT-rFNK administrative groups in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a human version of FNK (hFNK) fused to other PTD peptides exhibited a protective ability. These results suggest that PTD-FNK possesses protective activity against chemotherapy-induced hairloss and is not restricted to a sequence of PTD peptides or species of FNK. ....
Immune priviledge in the hair follicle bulge
By orphandrugscom on Nov 10, 2009 | In Announcements
Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009 Nov 3. [Epub ahead of print]
Does collapse of immune privilege in the hair-follicle bulge play a role in the pathogenesis of primary cicatricial alopecia?
Harries MJ, et al
Background. The hair-follicle bulge has recently been added to a growing list of human tissue compartments that exhibit a complex combination of immunosuppressive mechanisms, termed immune privilege (IP), which seem to restrict immune-mediated injury..... As epithelial hair-follicle stem cells (eHFSC) reside in the hair-follicle bulge region, it is conceivable that these IP mechanisms protect this vital compartment from immune-mediated damage, thereby ensuring the ongoing growth and cyclic regeneration of the hair follicle. Primary cicatricial alopecias (PCA) are a group of inflammatory hair loss disorders that result in hair-follicle destruction and permanent hair loss. Growing evidence suggests that eHFSC destruction is a key factor in the permanent follicular hair loss seen in these conditions. Aim. To explore the possible role of bulge IP collapse in PCA pathogenesis. Methods. We report three clinically distinct cases of PCA. Immunohistochemical analyses of paired biopsies from lesional and uninvolved scalp skin were compared using recognized markers of IP. Results. (We).. found increased expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) classes I and II and of beta2-microglobulin in the bulge region of lesional follicles compared with uninvolved follicles in each case. Further, expression of the bulge marker keratin 15 was reduced in lesional skin in two of the cases.....snip....
Edited for hair loss blog.
Treatment of hair loss due to alopecia areata
By orphandrugscom on Nov 9, 2009 | In Announcements
Med Press. 1949,25;221:497
A modern survey of alopecia areata and its treatment.
BIGHAM A.
An early paper on the treatment of hair loss due to alopecia areata
