Baldness and hair loss information and news

alopecia trial

CTP-543 is Being Evaluated in Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

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Concert Pharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Enrollment in First Cohort of CTP-543 Phase 2a Trial

CTP-543 is Being Evaluated in Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

Phase 2a Trial On Track to Complete in Second Half of 2018

Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc today announced that it has completed enrollment of the first cohort of its Phase 2a trial evaluating CTP-543.
Concert is developing CTP-543 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in patchy or complete hair loss.
CTP-543 is a deuterium-modified analog of ruxolitinib, a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor that is commercially available under the brand name Jakafi® for the treatment of certain blood disorders.

In the Phase 2a trial, patients with alopecia areata in the first cohort are administered 4 mg of CTP-543 or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks.

An independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) will conduct an interim safety data review from the first cohort after patients have completed three months of dosing. This review is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.

Based on this review, the DMC will provide its recommendation regarding initiating the second cohort in the trial, which will be administered 8 mg of CTP-543 or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. The Phase 2a trial is expected to be completed in the second half of 2018.

“We are excited to see the enthusiastic participation by alopecia areata patients in our study.

Its sequential dosing design will allow us to assess the safety and efficacy of CTP-543 in this disease in a controlled and deliberate manner,” said James Cassella, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer of Concert Pharmaceuticals. “We look forward to the DMC’s assessment, and we are on track with our goal to complete the trial in the second half of 2018.”

The Phase 2a trial is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CTP-543 in adults with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata. Approximately 90 patients are being enrolled in the study and sequentially randomized to receive one of two doses of CTP-543 (4 or 8 mg) or placebo twice daily.

The primary outcome measure will utilize the severity of alopecia tool (SALT) after 24 weeks of dosing. Patient-reported outcome measures will be assessed as secondary endpoints. If appropriate, the protocol may be amended to explore higher doses of CTP-543.

Additional information about the trial is available on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

CTP-543 has been well-tolerated in clinical evaluation to date and has demonstrated a non-clinical safety profile consistent with therapeutic JAK inhibition.

About CTP-543 and Alopecia Areata

CTP-543 was discovered by applying Concert’s deuterium chemistry technology to modify ruxolitinib, a drug which selectively inhibits Janus kinases 1 and 2 (JAK1 and JAK2) and is commercially available under the name Jakafi® in the United States for the treatment of certain blood disorders.

Ruxolitinib has been used to treat alopecia areata in academic settings, including an investigator-sponsored clinical trial, and has been reported to promote hair growth in individuals with moderate-to-severe disease.

Ruxolitinib and Alopecia Trial

Ruxolitinib Alopecia Study

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that results in partial or complete loss of hair on the scalp and body that may affect up to 650,000 Americans at any given time1.

The scalp is the most commonly affected area, but any hair-bearing site can be affected alone or together with the scalp. Onset of the disease can occur throughout life and affects both women and men.

Alopecia areata can be associated with serious psychological consequences, including anxiety and depression. There are currently no drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of alopecia areata.

The FDA selected alopecia areata as one of eight new disease areas that it focused on under its Patient-Focused Drug Development Initiative (PFDDI) meeting in 2016-2017. The goal of the PFDDI is to bring patient perspectives into an earlier stage of product development.

The meeting was held on Monday, September 11, 2017. Additional information is available online at: https://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/UserFees/PrescriptionDrugUserFee/ucm554443.htm

About Concert

Concert Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on applying its DCE Platform® (deuterated chemical entity platform) to create novel medicines designed to address unmet patient needs. The Company’s approach starts with approved drugs in which deuterium substitution has the potential to enhance clinical safety, tolerability or efficacy. Concert has a broad pipeline of innovative medicines targeting autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and central nervous systems (CNS) disorders. For more information please visit www.concertpharma.com.

1 Fricke M. Epidemiology and Burden of alopecia areata: a systemic review. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2015; Vol 8. 397-403.

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Alopecia Trial

Addressing baldness in women

Addressing baldness in women

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Addressing baldness in women

The sight of hair loss can be very worrying for a woman, at times making her lose confidence. Greater the stress, greater the hair loss. Pattern baldness is a serious concern among women.
Addressing a workshop on causes of hair loss among women, Dr Premalatha, Dermatologist of Hairline International Hair & Skin Clinic talks about hormone induced hair loss in women and the myths surrounding hair transplants.
Q. Hormonal changes are considered to cause baldness in women. What kind of hormonal changes and how does this happen?
Among the various causes of hairloss, hormonal variation is one important factor. It concerns changes in the level of androgens, the male hormones.
After reaching menopause, women find hair on their head getting thinner while hair on their face gets coarser.
Women with FPHL(Female pattered hairloss) are more likely to show signs of virilization and some reveal hyperandrogenemia .
Too much androgen brings in abnormal new hair growth, such as on the face, between the belly button and pubic area.
One can see these signs by observing changes in menstrual periods, followed by an enlargement of the clitoris.
Another sign would be new acne formations. Procedures such blood tests can diagnose the hormone variation in women with hairloss. Another factor leading to hair loss is too much or too little of Thyroid hormone. The danger associated with female pattern baldness is that hair loss is permanent if not treated.
Q. Can you comment about the condition of hair in women during the time of pregnancy and delivery?
After pregnancy and delivery, a phenomenon known as Telogen Effluvium is observed. It occurs due to many other reasons as well, like drastic weight loss, major surgery or high levels of stress.
This phenomenon involves shedding of large amounts of hair each day, during shampooing, styling or brushing.
Women experiencing the phenomenon witness large amounts of hair being shed usually 6 weeks to 3 months after a stressful event, like a pregnancy.
At the peak of this condition, handfuls of hair may be lost. In order to find evidence to diagnose someone with Telogen Effluvium, doctors may look for small club-shaped bulbs on the fallen hair roots.
The presence of the bulbs indicates that the hair has gone through a complete cycle of growth, suggesting the cycle may have sped up due to stress, because of pregnancy. The only thing one can do when experiencing Telogen Effluvium is wait until the hair loss slows down.
Also other contributing factors such as stress related problems can be tackled by reducing anxiety through meditation and other recommended ways.
Q. The obvious answer to chronic hair loss here is hair transplant. Can you tell us a bit about how it works?
Use of topical medication and PRP (Platelet rich plama) can help them in initial stages of baldness where as advance stages require hair transplant.
Hair transplant is a method of hair redistribution wherein hair is removed from areas on the scalp where hair is thicker and placed on areas which are balding.
Minor scars may appear on the areas where hair is removed, but the end result is permanent. Other solutions such as a change in hairstyle, or hair weaving, can also be utilized to improve appearance.
Very few people however have the courage to undergo the treatment, even though latest researches show that market for hair transplantation is growing rapidly. Many myths surround this treatment, preventing people suffering from pattern balding from giving it a try.
Q. Can we discuss some of them?
The method of hair transplant is holistic and all round yields good results. But people have false notions about it. A common myth is that old people cannot undergo treatment, preventing old people from undergoing it. Age has nothing to do with it.
The texture and quality of your existing hair determines whether or not you are suitable for it.
Also, some people believe hair transplant is only possible at the initial stages of hair loss. On the contrary, it is actually the opposite. It is in fact more difficult to predict in the initial stages the extent of hair loss and whether you require treatment. It makes more sense to go to the physician when hair loss gets stable.
The treatment does not give immediate results. The patient generally sees results after about 8 months, and the head filling with hair within 9-12 months.
Another myth is that surgery affects the brain. There is no connection whatsoever. Surgery involves only the skin of your scalp. There is no contact with any part of the brain. Lastly, a common misconception is that surgery leaves no scars. This is untrue.
Every hair restoration technique leaves scars on the scalp. Surgery however reduces these scars to a formation of multiple dots. However, scarring is minimal and almost invisible even if you are completely bald.

Q. Concerns exist on affordability of the surgery. What is your comment?
Cost of surgery depends on a number of factors, especially the number of grafts to be transplanted. It can be a little costly, but definitely affordable. Most hair transplant clinics offer options of paying in instalments.
About Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic
Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic have been pioneers in the medical management of hair and skin. Hairline International brings state-of-the-art international procedures, machinery and treatment packages to deal with hair, skin and beauty issues across the spectrum for men and women.
Hairline has medical as well as beauty professionals for carrying out all procedures.at their four centres in Bangalore.
Shaved Head Challenge

Shaved Head Challenge

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The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge Unveils a Brand New Look! – It’s the Official Kick-Off of the 2016 Edition

Leucan launches today the 2016 edition of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge presented by PROXIM.

This year, in an effort to return the focus on the beauty of the action taken by thousands of participants each year, the Association is placing them at the heart of its new campaign.

In this way, Leucan highlights the generosity of the difficult yet gratifying choice participants make of having their heads shaved to raise funds for cancer-stricken children and their families.

To put the spotlight fully on the participants and showcase the pride they feel after their Challenge, the ad designers insisted on actively involving a few of them in this campaign.

“Experiencing the Challenge is an incredible opportunity, but it’s mostly very rewarding to know that I will inspire others to take action,” says Brontë Poiré-Prest, one of the participants featured in this campaign who took on the Challenge in 2015.

The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge Unveils a Brand New Look!

“Designed generously by TAM-TAM\TBWA, this new integrated campaign, which will be rolled out on television and radio, as well as in print, billboards, social media and the web, is sure to raise awareness of the cause and of the event,” explains Lysanne Groulx, Marketing, Communications and Social Networks Director.

For the TV commercial, the Association looked once again to an outstanding director from Quebec, this time collaborating with Rafaël Ouellet, who most notably directed the TV series Nouvelle adresse and the feature film Camion.

The ad can be viewed online on Leucan’s YouTube channel.

Throughout the year and across the province, over 60 shaving sites will be held by Leucan, in addition to the many Challenges hosted by companies, organizations and educational institutions.

We also urge people to pick a time and place of their choice and to create their own Personalized Challenge. As usual, there will be a provincial Challenge day set out for May 29, 2016.

For this edition, the official shaving site will be at Place Versailles. To take on the Challenge or sponsor a participant, please visit shavedheadchallenge.com.

Finally, Leucan wishes to thank PROXIM, the new generous presenting sponsor of the Challenge, Mia for selling its exclusive earrings of hope for a second year, with proceeds going to Leucan, as well as the humorist Dominic Paquet, the Challenge’s provincial spokesperson for a fifth year in a row.

About the Challenge

The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge is a major fundraiser of Leucan that engages the community in a spirit of solidarity to provide services to cancer-stricken children and their families as well as providing financial support to clinical research.

It is also a gesture of support for children whose body image is altered when chemotherapy provokes hair loss.

About Leucan

For more than 35 years, Leucan has been supporting cancer-stricken children and their families from the day of diagnosis through every stage of the disease.

As a loyal ally of hundreds of families and thousands of members across Quebec, the Association provides specific and personalized services delivered by a qualified team with a cutting edge expertise.

Leucan also funds clinical research and the Leucan Information Centre. With its many offices, Leucan is present throughout Quebec.

About PROXIM

PROXIM will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2016, and was created following the consolidation of independent pharmacist-owners.

With over 250 pharmacies throughout Québec, pharmacist-owners affiliated with PROXIM are leading health professionals in their community. Their priority is to provide specialized and customized support to their patients for improved health.

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spexhair and baldness

Spencer Stevenson of Spexhair on How To Cure Baldness

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Spencer Stevenson of Spexhair.com Interviewed By The Telegraph Newspaper on How To Cure Baldness

Spencer Stevenson, the owner of the popular hair loss help website spexhair.com, was interviewed by Peter Lloyd from the prestigious newspaper The Telegraph giving his insights and knowledge on how to treat male pattern baldness through proven treatments.

In the article published on the 23rd of November by the Telegraph titled ‘How to cure baldness (without losing your money as well as your hair)’, Spencer discusses the growing amount of men wanting to treat their hair loss and more importantly the actual methods which are proven to work.

Spencer, when asked about the best way to start thinking about treating hair loss, had the following to say: “The key, it seems, it to stabilise hair loss before stepping into a transplant clinic.

The only products that work in my experienced opinion are a combination of 1mg Finasteride (Propecia) and a topical application of Minoxidil (Rogaine), with occasional use of Nizoral.

Everything else, including trendy caffeinated shampoos, might keep the scalp clean or promote follicle health, but they do nothing to stop the hair being attacked by DHT, which is crucial.”

The industry according to Spencer is growing by 35% over the past two years and turns over £1.5 Billion. Average Hair transplants cost around £5,000-£7,000 depending on the number of grafts being transplanted and the clinic.

Spencer further revealed what not to waste any money on when it comes to treating hair loss which were:

Laser Caps/combs, herbal supplements and caffeine shampoos.

The article published by The Telegraph is among several interviews Spencer Stevenson has given over the past few years on the topic of hair loss.

Those interested can read more about Spencer Stevenson and his media coverage by visiting his hair loss website spexhair.com.

headpower bald

HeadPower Hair Clinic Announces Pro Bono SMP Treatment

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Toronto based HeadPower Hair Clinic Announces Pro Bono SMP Treatment for Victims of Hair Loss Due to Medical Reasons

HeadPower Hair Clinic is offering annual pro bono Scalp Micropigmentation treatments for victims of medical hair loss.

Directors at the Hair Clinic aim to boost the self-esteem of individuals who are suffering from hair loss or thinning hair through illness (including the side effects of drug treatment).

The free Treatment will be performed at the HeadPower Toronto SMP Clinic, and is geared towards someone who is living with a severe vitamin deficiency or underlying health syndrome which is causing their hair to fall out.

It could include conditions such as stress, alopecia, lupus, polycystic ovary syndrome or a thyroid hormone imbalance.

They may also be experiencing the psychological condition Trichotillomania.

Other reasons for hair loss could include the use of anabolic steroids, beta-blockers, blood thinning drugs such as Warfarin, lithium, certain antidepressants or chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

“Suffering from any of the conditions we have mentioned can be difficult enough for an individual and their family or friends to have to deal with without them having to face the added complication of hair loss as well,” said HeadPower’s Media Relations Director Steve Greer.

“Let’s face it, losing your hair can prove devastating. It can alter the way an individual sees his or herself and can really affect their self-esteem. It’s demoralizing and upsetting.

In a lot of cases hair loss can result in the individual shunning society, and at a time when it’s often more important than ever to see people and get out and about. That’s because socializing can distract from an illness and prove an important part of the healing process.”

HeadPower Hair Clinic directors say SMP can help with hair loss and thinning in the vast majority of cases. However, they admit that the solution is not within everyone’s budget.

Because of this, they are offering the free treatment to an individual for whom SMP would not normally be a financially viable option.

Despite this, the innovative hair loss solution is far less expensive than traditional treatments such as hair transplants and wigs.

It should prove affordable for those on a living wage and average outgoings.

The non-invasive process works by way of embedding non-toxic pigmentation into the outer (epidermal) layers of the skin on the scalp.

This, in turn, replicates the look of a hair follicle. It takes skilled technicans an average of 2 sessions to cover entire areas of the scalp with around 2500 simulated hair follicles per every square inch of skin.

More or less anyone can benefit from SMP treatment since it is suitable for all skin shades including African-Canadian, Caucasian, Asian and a variety of mixed races.

Those keen on receiving the treatment should contact the Toronto HeadPower Hair Clinic, which also deals with male pattern baldness.

The clinic offers a free consultation.

Its services and a detailed explanation of the treatment process including before and after pictures, can be found on the company website – http://www.HeadPower.ca

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Baldness Drug May Also Be Able to Treat a Skin Disorder

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tofacitinib could be used to treat hair loss The study, published in JAMA Dermatology, details the case of one patient whose progressive vitiligo was successfully treated by dermatologists from Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CN.

“While it’s one case, we anticipated the successful treatment of this patient based on our current understanding of the disease and how the drug works,” says principal investigator Dr. Brett King, an assistant professor of dermatology at Yale.

 

 

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Prostate Cancer Risk Linked to Baldness

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Prostate Cancer Risk Linked to Baldness Men who are losing their hair due to male pattern baldness may be at increased risk of dying from prostate cancer, a new study suggests.

Researchers analyzed information from more than 4,000 U.S. men ages 25 to 74, who were assessed by a dermatologist and categorized has having no balding, or minimal, moderate or severe balding.

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Plucking hairs may help treat baldness, study finds

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hair-pluckingA recent study shows plucked follicles cause the immune system to respond with increased regrowth.

Bald men will certainly be pleased that scientist have found a way of making hair regrow. U.S. researchers have shown that when 200 hairs are plucked, up to six times as many can grow back.

For the technique to work, all hair must be plucked from one small patch. Theory suggests that plucking from a small area signals the immune system that hair is being forcibly removed thus making the extra hair regrow, according to Daily Mail.

 

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Over-styling can make you bald

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Over-styling can make you baldBy the age of 35, over 66 per cent of men show some signs of significant hair loss. The figures are a results of a UK study.

Factors that cause hair loss include genetics, stress and weather conditions. But you may be joining hands with the enemy with over grooming your hair every day.

Are your efforts to sport the latest new hairdo worth losing your crowning glory by the age of 35?

Mirror tells you how you can reduce the damage while grooming your tresses.

 

 

 

 

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Bald Is Beautiful

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Bald Is BeautifulThis month’s GQ magazine suggests that Prince William and other hairline-challenged men take Propecia because it blocks the hormone that thins hair.

Unfortunately, GQ doesn’t say what can also happen to men when that hormone is blocked.

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