Although a lot of important developments have occurred in the hair loss world in the past several weeks, I have not been excited by most.
New Treatments for Hair Loss in Women
— A few days ago, the New York Times had a fairly detailed and interesting article on thinning hair in women. The article includes quotes from well known experts frequently mentioned on this blog such as Dr. Joseph Greco and Dr. Angelo Christiano. It seems like Dr. Christiano has helped start a company (called Rapunzel of course) where she will focus on hair multiplication via cell culturing.
I am not too excited about this as yet since clinical trials are 1-2 years away. In essence, this is yet another “cure is five years away” type venture. Even that timeline is optimistic based on the assumptions that she raises the requisite funds and that each stage of clinical trials progresses as planned. The one redeeming factor is that Dr. Christiano is very passionate about helping women with hair loss, perhaps largely because she also suffers from hair loss and wears a wig.
— The other interesting item from the above mentioned New York Times article was an explanation on why Latisse (Bimatoprost) will probably not work as well on the head as it does on eyelashes. According to the Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Melissa Piliang, a well known hair loss researcher and dermatologist, Latisse works by shifting hair that is in a resting phase into hair that is in a growth phase. However, while 70 percent of eyelash hair is usually in resting phase, only 10-20 percent of scalp hair is usually in resting phase. I wonder if that 10-20 percent potential new hair growth is enough to make Bitamoprost at least as good as Minoxidil?
— Cellmid, a company that I discussed earlier this year, just announced very good results from an independently conducted trial of its FGF-5 inhibiting drug évolis ONE. I would be a lot more excited about this product if were not based on naturally occurring botanical extracts. And if there were more positive anecdotal forums posts from existing Australian users of the product. I just do not believe that any natural hair loss product can cause regrowth in bald areas of the scalp. In any case, their CEO Maria Halasz has Tweeted to me that the product will be in pharmacies in May.
— Italian company Cosmo Pharmaceuticals changed the name of its yet to be approved CB-03-01 topical anti-androgen product to Breezula per a March 25, 2015 detailed company presentation. Strange choice of name. The company also changed its own name to a more Italian sounding Cassiopea in April 2015.
— The two main stories in the hair loss world last year both involved JAK inhibitors reversing alopecia areata. The before and after photos in both cases (see bone marrow cancer drug Ruxolitinib and arthritis drug Tofacitinib) were mind blowing and took the global media by storm. This month, yet another JAK inhibitor (cancer drug Baricitinib) proved to have similar results, but the publicity surrounding this development was modest.
— Although related to the skin rather than to hair, cosmetics giant L’Oreal ‘s and 3D organ printing giant Organovo’s newly announced partnership in research is one to watch closely. The human skin is very closely related to hair, and L’Oreal has already made its presence felt in the hair world due to its much hyped yet to be released gray hair prevention pill.
— Finally, I was surprised that the crazy Dr. Sergio Canavero of the full body transplant (or “head transplant”, as has been falsely named by much of the media) fame has already found a patient. So they are likely to proceed with this insanity in 2016. Even crazier, it seems like Dr. Canavero got over 100 volunteers asking him to be the first person to get a new body. I cannot imagine that this will ever work. More on Valery Spiridonov. You can also read this interview with him and this one with Dr. Canavero.
évolis ONE’s results seem impressive to me with its “80.2% reduction in hair loss over 112 days”. Admin, is there any other reason you would dismiss their stat other than what the product is based on?
Just 1 trial so far, no miracle forum reports from users in Australia where its been available for a while I think:
http://www.evolisproducts.com.au/
Admin, why are you so certain we’ll have a cure by 2020? For instance, it’s now 2015 and we still don’t have alternative treatments to anti-androgens. Also, let’s say the most effective potential new treatment is Kythera’s setipiprant. By their timeline, they won’t have anything on the market until about 2018/2019. That’s just a new treatment. You’re banking on hair loss to be eradicated by 2020? I’m sure it will be eventually, but it’s hard to agree with your timeline. Please elaborate.
hate to break it to you…but it is 2016.
It is already elaborated in the introductory page. I dont understand that baldness will be erradicated bY this time, but a real cure will be discovered. Also, the bald people dont have hair loss neither (no more hair to loss)
I could not disagree with you more about natural solutions not helping hair loss significantly – IMO that is the best place that we will ever get a solution.
Not to sound too “hippy” but artificial chemicals in the body are never a good idea especially when these are impacting androgens.
hi admin, thank you for your work. it would be good to write about grey hair cures. it affects self esteem too. and methods to dye for men are not good.
Hi, I read your blog on daily basis. It is great because of optistic energy, so thank you for your work!
I am 20 years old and NW 2, but situation is getting worse. I am depressed and all the time I have suicidical thoughts – I can’t do nothing because I am prone to antiandrogens sides, so taking Propecia is impossible for me. I live only by hope when it comes to future treatments. If Replicel really is available in 2018, I will go ASAP to Japan. I consider also HT in the future, but do you know, when piloscopy transplant will be available? Are there any news on it?
And dawood – grey hair isn’t a problem in comparison to lack of hair…
Hi, I read your blog on daily basis. It is great because of optimistic energy, so thank you for your work! It would be good to write about grey hair cures. It affects self esteem too and methods to dye for men are not good.
Hi, (Firstly I really like your blog). Regarding the FGF5 inhibiting (topical) drug I am trying to work out for myself it is any good (for pattern baldness and in conjunction with finasteride and minoxidil). I just noted you comments were quite dismissive “if there were more positive anecdotal forums posts from existing Australian users of the product. I just do not believe that any natural product can considerably benefit hair loss, especially when it comes to regrowth.”
I just wanted to comment I am an Australian and have only heard of the product this week (due to it being on the stock exchange – I still haven’t seen it in a store). I think the product is quite new in general and there are not many users or widespread awareness of the product even in Australia.
I was also curious as to why you believe that any ‘natural’ product can not considerably benefit hair loss? Thank you
Plasma, thanks for the feedback on Cellmid! As far as natural products go, I do believe that there is a lot of evidence that they benefit hair growth. e.g., see here –> https://www.hairlosscure2020.com/natural-cures-for-hair-loss/
However, I have never seen a natural product bring back robust hair in a totally bald area of the scalp. Perhaps there are some cases, but I am skeptical.
Thanks for your reply admin. I think your scepticism is reasonable.
In case of interest regarding Cellmid, and their hair loss products, from what I can sort of gather is in 2009 they completed the settlement for a portfolio of midkine patent IP potentially useful for all sorts of bio-med uses including cancer diagnoses and treatments. Then in October 2010 they announced preclinical studies indicate midkine maybe useful for various forms of hair loss treatment and in anticipation for being able to commercialise, the midkine hair loss, opportunity they have got into the hair loss business. They acquired the Australian distribution rights to Advangen from Japan. Advangen (which is an FGF-5 inhibitor same as their current Evolis range – and I am guessing the same ingredients) had been selling in Japan for around 2 years already, pretty much since the 2007 study was completed (Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract Has FGF-5 Inhibitory Activity and Reduces Hair Loss by Causing Prolongation of the Anagen Period).
Regarding the most recent clinical study on Evolis One completed by AMA Laboratories INC. I don’t give this much weight I think it may be more one of those cosmetic “marketing studies” they use for face creams and the like. AMA Laboratories themselves say on their website: “AMA delivers a unique blend of scientific clinical research and marketing. Our staff can take your product through the testing required for regulatory compliance and ultimately deliver fully customized marketing concepts. We employ over 70 individuals all dedicated to providing personalized attention to meet and surpass your specific needs.
AMA maintains a minimum of 95% positive unsolicited customer feedback. We are always striving to improve, seeking new and cutting edge ways to make customer interaction more streamlined and personal. Once you’ve become familiar with the technicians in our lab, you can pick up a phone or email anyone involved in your study. Our main goal is effective, expeditious, and personalized communication.”
IMO – Disclosure: I don’t hold Cellmid shares