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Hair loss reversed in alopecia areata sufferers | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Scientists have completely reversed hair loss in three people by giving them a drug normally used to treat bone marrow disorders. | Scientists have completely reversed hair loss in three people by giving them a drug normally used to treat bone marrow disorders. |
The patients had alopecia areata - a condition that can cause severe, patchy baldness that is difficult to treat. | |
But after five months of taking the medication ruxolitinib, all three saw total hair re-growth. | But after five months of taking the medication ruxolitinib, all three saw total hair re-growth. |
The findings from Columbia University Medical Center are published in the journal Nature Medicine. | The findings from Columbia University Medical Center are published in the journal Nature Medicine. |
'Devastating disease' | 'Devastating disease' |
Alopecia areata affects around two in every 1,000 people in the UK and is thought to be caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles. | |
The US scientists had previously identified a set of immune cells involved in the destruction of hair and conducted a number of successful trials in mice. | The US scientists had previously identified a set of immune cells involved in the destruction of hair and conducted a number of successful trials in mice. |
They then gave three patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata a twice daily dose of ruxolitinib. | They then gave three patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata a twice daily dose of ruxolitinib. |
This medication is already approved for use in bone marrow conditions in the United States and European Union. | This medication is already approved for use in bone marrow conditions in the United States and European Union. |
All three patients had lost at least a third of their hair but saw dramatic hair growth within five months of therapy. | All three patients had lost at least a third of their hair but saw dramatic hair growth within five months of therapy. |
Lead researcher Dr Raphael Clynes said: "We've only begun testing the drug in patients, but if the drug continues to be successful and safe, it will have a dramatic positive impact on the lives of people with the disease." | Lead researcher Dr Raphael Clynes said: "We've only begun testing the drug in patients, but if the drug continues to be successful and safe, it will have a dramatic positive impact on the lives of people with the disease." |
Prof David Bickers, a dermatologist at Columbia University who has treated many patients with the disease, said: "There are few tools in the arsenal for the treatment of alopecia areata that have any demonstrated efficacy. | Prof David Bickers, a dermatologist at Columbia University who has treated many patients with the disease, said: "There are few tools in the arsenal for the treatment of alopecia areata that have any demonstrated efficacy. |
"This is a major step forward in improving the standard of care for patients suffering from this devastating disease." | "This is a major step forward in improving the standard of care for patients suffering from this devastating disease." |
Researchers say more work is now needed to see if the drug can be offered more widely. | Researchers say more work is now needed to see if the drug can be offered more widely. |
Alopecia areata can occur at any age but is most often seen in teenagers and young adults. | Alopecia areata can occur at any age but is most often seen in teenagers and young adults. |
It is not related to the more common male-pattern hair loss that is thought to be driven by hormones. | It is not related to the more common male-pattern hair loss that is thought to be driven by hormones. |
Scientists say as the mechanisms behind this condition are different, the therapy is less likely to prove effective for this more common problem. | Scientists say as the mechanisms behind this condition are different, the therapy is less likely to prove effective for this more common problem. |
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