Latanoprost, PGF2a, Prostaglandin Analog, Prostaglandin F2α

New Latanoprost for Hair Growth Trial

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Edit: It seems like this trial is for Dermaliq’s DLQ01 product.

In my old posts on Bimatoprost, I mentioned the related glaucoma drug Latanoprost. While Bimatoprost is a synthetic prostamide analog, Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α analog and it prolongs the anagen phase of the hair cycle via the prostaglandin effect.

Latanoprost Hair Growth
Latanoprost for hair growth trial at Sinclair Clinic. Source: 9News Australia.

Latanoprost for Hair Growth Trial

The renowned Dr. Rodney Sinclair and his Melbourne based Sinclair Dermatology clinic will test Latanoprost eye drops for hair growth in a new clinical trial. I have covered Dr. Sinclair numerous times on this blog, including in my post on “Oral Minoxidil“. Most recently, his clinic has taken the lead in testing Hope Medicine’s HMI-115 prolactin receptor antibody.

Latanoprost (sold under the brand name Xalatan) is a medication that is used to treat increased pressure inside the eye. This includes ocular hypertension and glaucoma. It was approved for medical use in the US in 1996. However, it is not FDA approved to treat hair loss. One of the noted side effects of Latanoprost (off-label use) is an increase in the thickness and density of eyelash hair.

However, this type of cosmetic use near the eye region can come with serious side effects in the eyes. Moreover:

“The overgrowth of lashes may result in lash misdirection and distichiasis, and an extra row of hair at the aperture of the meibomian glands that can result in eye irritation.”

Prostaglandin Analogs

Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α or PGF2a) analog, similar to Travoprost and Tafluprost. A 2012 German study of 16 men with androgenetic alopecia found that Latanoprost significantly increased hair density (terminal and vellus hairs) at 24 weeks compared with baseline. A 2015 review concluded that the most promising alternative clinical uses of prostaglandin F2α analogs beyond the eyelashes include: androgenic alopecia; chemotherapy-induced alopecia; and alopecia areata.

Even over 20 years ago, a detailed 2002 study on stump-tailed macaques found that Latanoprost had a potent positive effect on hair growth. Note that Aneira Pharma is developing a hair loss product that will likely contain Latanoprost, Cyclosporine and Minoxidil.

Also, Dermaliq Therapeutics (US) is working on a topical Prostaglandin F2α analogue product for male pattern baldness. I covered the company in my post on increasing PGE2 and PGF2α for hair growth. On a related note, make sure to read my posts on PGD2 inhibition for hair growth.

Misplaced Skepticism

Most readers are skeptical about existing drugs such as Bimatoprost and Latanoprost doing much for scalp hair growth. However, in my opinion, we should welcome every new mechanism of targeting hair regrowth. Even if each one is “only” as effective as the tried and tested topical Minoxidil.

Some products might just make existing hair thicker rather than re-grow lost hair. However, this thicker scalp hair is then less easily destructible by the ravages of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Moreover, if we have many different alternatives to tackle hair loss, the chances are that each of us can find at least three products that cause him or her no side effects.

Ultimately, a cocktail of topical products could multiply the hair growth effect. A number of new companies that sell topical finasteride are also including Latanoprost as part of the ingredients. Delivery mechanisms continue to improve, resulting in superior product absorption and penetration into the scalp.

CRISPR/Cas9, CRISPR, Hair System

Lulu and Nana and Scott

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Please note that the original version of this post on CRISPR babies Lulu and Nana was written in 2018. It can be read below this update. Also see the wiki on the “He Jiankui Affair“. Our interest in CRISPR gene editing is focused on its potential use to cure hair loss.

Update: February 5, 2023 — Scientist who edited babies’ genes says he acted too quickly. And his ghost is still haunting geneticists at conferences.

Update: February 1, 2023

Dr. He Jiankui is out of Prison

Dr. He Jiankui joined Twitter a few months ago after coming out of prison. He just gave an encouraging update on Lulu and Nana that I have embedded below. I hope this is not a fake account! So far, it sounds legitimate. Mr. Jiankui wants to resume experimenting in the lab.

Also, whatever happened to Scott (see bottom half of this post)?

— Happy New Year from Jiankui’s family.

November 26, 2018

Lulu and Nana

Huge news from China, where scientists claim to have used CRISPR/Cas9 to genetically modify human babies for the first time in history. The two female babies are named Lulu and Nana. Not sure what to think about the ethics of all this as yet, but I like what Dr. Jiankui He has to say about genes not defining you:

“Our DNA does not predetermine our purpose or what we could achieve. We flourish from our own hard work, nutrition, and support from society and our loved ones. Whatever our genes may be, we are equal in dignity and potential.”

In this particular case, the volunteer fathers all have HIV and they want to make sure that their progeny do not suffer from the terrible disease of AIDS. One article on this tory is titled: Chinese scientists are creating CRISPR babies. The scientists plan is to eliminate a gene called CCR5, so as to ensure that the human offspring are then resistant to HIV (as well as smallpox and cholera).

Note that some media reports are placing doubt on the accuracy of these claims and the methodology used.

Update: Dr. George Church seems to think that this is for real:

“I have been in contact with the Shenzhen team and have seen the data. The sequencing assays used are generally unambiguous, especially when done in multiple cell types at different developmental stages and in two children. Is the genie really out of the bottle? Yes.”

First Gene Edited Babies Claimed in China

The below video (and associated story) from the He Lab’s YouTube channel has caused much global controversy.

November 24, 2018

Scott Tries a New Hair System

I was thinking of adding Scott’s latest video about his new hair system to my original lengthy post on his hair system. However, there are already three other videos on there, including a before one. So I am adding it below. I like this hair system better than the first one.