Adipose Tissue Derived Stem Cell Based Hair Restoration Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA)
Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA), is losing hair in both men and women. It is one of the most common forms out there. It is known by its gradual patterned loss of hair in the scalp. This study looks into restoring hair caused by (AGA) using fat tissue (adipose tissue), a.k.a. Stromal Vascular Fraction, and human platelet rich plasma.
Gender wise, 30%-50% of men suffer from this particular type of hair loss, between the ages of 30-50. Similarly, women also suffer from (AGA) in varying degrees. 50% of women get (AGA) by age 60. AGA becomes a medical problem when hair loss is seen as extreme, excessive, premature, and distressing. Up until now, finasteride, dutasteride, spironolactone, flutamide, minoxidil were the norm on treating these conditions. However, it does little on contributing to hair regeneration. A better solution is needed to stimulate hair follicles on promoting hair restoration in both sexes with long lasting effects. Stem cell based therapies have changed the field of regenerative medicine by giving treatment options for several diseases and disorders.
Hair regrowth is a complicated process. Hair growth starts under the skin in structures called hair follicles. In (AGA), hair follicle sizes decrease due to loss of hair follicle stem or progenitor cells because hair follicles become inactive. Because of inactivation of hair follicles large, pigmented terminal hairs are replaced by barely visible and de-pigmented vellus hairs. Environmental factors stimulate inactive hair follicles, leading to hair growth cycle starting over again and again. Other research shows that proteins and growth factors released by stem cells can play an important role in hair growth cycle.
Stem cells can secrete various growth factors which can perform several functions including hair follicle stimulation.
Conventional treatment such as medication and hair transplants have been deemed ineffective because of cost reasons, unpleasant side effects, unhappy results, the requirement of having to use the medication in the long term, and is limited to only males or females to use. Contemporary therapies with promising results are needed that should work in both males and females and results should be long lasting.
Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) based treatment for (AGA) can open a new door for developing hair restoration therapy. SVF can have many effects on small hair follicles by [homing to the hair follicles and by their paracrine effects.]
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02865421
“iRestore” Light Therapy Apparatus
Topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are currently used in the treatment of hair loss. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a new therapy used to treat Alopecia. In 2007, (LLLT) was approved by the FDA as a treatment for hair loss. In some small studies, patients had a decrease on the quantity of vellus hairs, an increase in the number of terminal hairs, and an increase in shaft diameter. Up until recently, placebo controlled studies are no longer considered effective for this type of study.
This study is a random and blind study. In this clinical trial, the researchers try to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in treating pattern hair loss. Pattern hair loss is characterized by increased vellus hairs and decreased shaft diameter, and these features are improved by (LLLT).
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03331003
Hair Growth Efficacy and safety of NGG-574H in Adults with Androgenic Alopecia
The purpose of this study is to see if cosmetic investigational product with an ingredient, NGF-574H is safe and effective in treating Androgenic Alopecia for Asian adults.
NGF-574H is obtained by collecting paracrine factors secreted by human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell that was exposed in vitro to an artificially designed environment imitating alopecia state in hair follicles to prime the composition of the paracrine factors improving hair growth. This study is to see and verify whether NGF-574H is safe and effective in treating androgenic alopecia for Asian adults.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03676400