DKK-1 Inhibition and Hair Growth

Past hair loss research has concluded that Dickkopf 1 (DKK-1) inhibition promotes scalp hair growth. Dickkopf-related protein 1 is encoded by the DKK1 gene. The latter is the most up-regulated gene in androgenetic alopecia,

DKK-1 Hair Loss
DKK-1 and hair loss. Source: JID.

A South Korean team of researchers has written a number of papers for more than a decade on the connection between DKK-1 and hair loss. Their well known 2008 findings concluded that DHT-inducible DKK-1 is involved in DHT-driven balding. Their 2012 paper was titled Dickkopf 1 promotes regression of hair follicles.

More recently, a 2016 paper from Egypt found that levels of DKK-1 were higher than normal in humans with both androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA) types of hair loss. It was also higher in AGA cases versus AA cases. DKK-1 was higher in males with AGA compared to females with AGA. Another 2019 paper from Egypt also reached similar conclusions.

A famous 2013 study from University of Pennsylvania found that by disrupting Wnt signaling in an animal model using the DKK-1 inhibitor, hair growth was prevented. However, stem cells were still maintained within the dormant hair follicles. When DKK-1 was subsequently removed, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway resumed normal function. i.e., stem cells reactivated and hair growth was restored. More here.

Interestingly, three of the co-authors of the above paper are also listed as co-inventors on a patent related to using DKK1 to reduce body hair growth.

New DKK-1 Hair Growth Patent

The reason I decided to write this post is due to a new DKK-1 related patent that was recently granted to a South Korean company called Bioneer (h/t reader “Andre”). On Bioneer’s website, I do not currently see anything related to hair loss products or research.

The patent has many pages with a lot of great information. My favorite sentence (with slight grammar modification) regarding the invention:

“A double-stranded oligonucleotide construct or the nanoparticle as an active ingredient according to the present invention. It highly efficiently suppresses the expression of DKK1, without side effects. And it is remarkably effective for preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth.”

DKK-1 Inhibition

There is significant interest in the treatment of hair loss via countering or inhibiting DKK-1. Studies have looked at existing natural (e.g., ginseng extract) and synthetic products.

Which brings me to my past post on creating the ultimate hair loss drug cocktail. The reader who sent me the lengthy and detailed spreadsheet that I pasted in that post had the following suggestions for inhibiting DKK-1:

  • Tianeptine.
  • L-Threonate.
  • Vitamin D3.

I have not done much research on this subject, so perhaps the knowledgeable readers can verify if the above makes sense.

Further Research

Forum threads such as this one on BTT also have many suggestions that I have not explored in any detail. As readers comment on this post, I will add more details about specific recommendations.

Interestingly, Dr. Cole’s Wnt Spray product on Amazon claims to reduce DKK1 activity by 21%.

Replicel Stock Price Trend and RCH-01 Update

Update: September 15, 2020 — For the past week, there has been a lot of online discussion about Replicel (Canada)’s collapsing stock price. REPCF is at 10 cents per share as of today, down from 30 cents just 6 months ago. A few days ago, Replicel’s Twitter account posted a comment that garnered a number of responses. My favorite interaction came today:

Replicel Reply

For several years, I have assumed that Replicel’s technology will only come to fruition if Shiseido decides to go through with it. The two semi-partners have had an ongoing dispute related to rights and clinical trials for several years. Shiseido is a cosmetics behemoth that is 100s of times as large as Replicel.

Replicel Update on Shiseido Partnership

Earlier today, Replicel also released a detailed update that included further elaboration on its Shiseido partnership problems:

“The disagreement regarding the status of the agreement between Shiseido and RepliCel remains unresolved, but is not the subject of any litigation or arbitration. RepliCel maintains the Agreement remains intact and is communicating with Shiseido its expectation that (a) they deliver to RepliCel the full clinical data set from the recently completed study of RCH-01 in Japan and (b) confirm that their license agreement remains intact without breach. RepliCel reserves the right to take the position that Shiseido’s failure to deliver the clinical data from the recently completed clinical study in Shiseido’s Territory constitutes a material breach of contract which, failing a cure, will warrant RepliCel’s termination of the agreement.”

Not very encouraging. It should be noted, however, that Shiseido has its own Japanese scientists and researchers that have been working on hair loss treatments for decades. I have written many posts on this company since this blog started. Hopefully, Shiseido can still produce a great treatment for androgenetic alopecia, even if unable to use Replicel’s technology. And vice versa of course.

RCH-01 Phase 2 Trials Status

Replicel also stated the following in its update:

“RepliCel will begin preparations for phase 2 human clinical trials of this product outside of Asia (Shiseido’s licensed territory).”

The company is in early stage discussions with potential partners outside of Asia. It seems like Replicel will always need to look for funding at each stage of trials. CEO Lee Buckler tends to post regular updates on Twitter regarding new partnerships.

March 23, 2020

RCH-01 Update

Replicel just published a slightly encouraging update on its RCH-01 product for hair loss. Well known dermatologist Dr. Jerry Shapiro has high praise for the recent Shiseido trial in Japan. He makes an astute point that most of the patients in the trial were at advanced stages of hair loss. This makes the results even more encouraging for those with recent hair loss. For transparency, the update does mention that Dr. Shapiro was a founding shareholder of Replicel.

The autologous cell-based therapy with dermal sheath cup cells that was used in the Shiseido study is the same product that RepliCel refers to as RCH-01:

Shiseido has licensed the co-development and commercial rights in Asia. RepliCel maintains the complete and unrestricted rights to this product outside of Asia.

Also of interest and something that I missed before: the Shiseido trial proved that the RCH-01 dermal sheath cup cell product can be used after cryopreservation and thawing.

March 11, 2020

Replicel updated its Twitter feed. It seems like the latest Shiseido trials used Replicel’s RCH-01 technology. A bit strange that Shiseido does not mention Replicel in its latest communications. Perhaps indicating that the two companies’ partnership issues are not yet close to being resolved.

Replicel News Update
Replicel Update via Twitter.

Yesterday, Replicel also got good news from the Japanese regulatory agency PMDA. This was in regards to the issuance of several non-hair loss product related patents. And Replicel got a final consultation go-ahead today regarding the company’s skin and tendon regeneration products.

Replicel’s stock price is even more volatile than usual this week. It dropped 33 percent on Monday. Then increased 71 percent on Tuesday. Down 10 percent so far today.

Replicel Stock Price

May 26, 2019

For those who are in the finance sector, why has Replicel’s stock price declined so drastically and continuously during the past five years? Earlier today, the company made yet another positive press release. This time regarding its YOFOTO licensee in China and its decent growth prospects.

This comes on top of the two announcements that they already made earlier this month. If any of this blog’s readers is investing in REPCF stock, please update us regularly on any developments. Including insider transactions, earnings announcements, P/E ratios and more.

Replicel Stock Price
Replicel Historical Stock Price Chart.