PRP Therapy for Alopecia After Breast Cancer Treatment
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can help women regrow hair after breast cancer treatments. PRP involves taking a small blood sample, separating the platelets, and injecting them into the scalp to potentially stimulate hair growth. It targets women who have lost hair due to specific cancer medications or chemotherapy and have not experienced hair regrowth within three months. Participants should not use other hair loss treatments or have certain scalp conditions. The goal is to determine if PRP can effectively address hair loss caused by cancer treatments. As an Early Phase 1 trial, this research focuses on understanding how PRP therapy works in people, offering participants the chance to be among the first to explore this potential treatment.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
You may need to stop certain medications before joining the trial. If you've used topical minoxidil or spironolactone for hair loss, you'll need a 3-month break before starting. Also, if you're taking aspirin, NSAIDs, or fish-oil supplements, you'll need to stop them 7 days before treatment.
Is there any evidence suggesting that PRP Therapy is likely to be safe for humans?
Research has shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are generally safe for treating hair loss. PRP uses a person's own blood, reducing the risk of allergic reactions. One study found that PRP increased hair growth in patients who lost hair due to breast cancer treatments and did not cause any cancer-related problems or tumor growth.
Another source notes that PRP appears promising for treating hair loss, although more evidence is needed. Since this trial is in its early stages, researchers are primarily focused on testing safety. So far, PRP injections have been well-tolerated, with no major side effects reported.
In summary, current findings suggest that PRP is a safe option for many people, including those who have lost hair due to breast cancer treatments.12345Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising?
Unlike the standard treatments for alopecia after breast cancer, which often include topical minoxidil or hair transplants, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy uses components derived from the patient's own blood to potentially stimulate hair growth. Researchers are excited about PRP therapy because it harnesses the body’s natural healing processes, which could lead to fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs. Additionally, PRP may promote faster and more robust hair regrowth by directly targeting hair follicles with growth factors. This innovative approach is generating interest as it offers a personalized treatment option that could improve the quality of life for individuals affected by hair loss post-cancer treatment.
What evidence suggests that PRP Treatment might be an effective treatment for alopecia?
Research has shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment might help increase hair thickness in individuals experiencing hair loss due to hormone therapy or chemotherapy. PRP involves using a person's own blood to separate the platelets, which are then injected back into the scalp. This method has shown promise in treating various types of hair loss. In this trial, female breast cancer patients experiencing hair loss from chemotherapy or endocrine therapy will receive PRP treatment. One study found that PRP is generally safe and might help reduce hair loss in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. While more evidence supports PRP's success with other types of hair loss, such as male or female pattern baldness, research specifically for hair loss after cancer treatments is still developing. Early results are encouraging, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings.12356
Who Is on the Research Team?
Anthony Rossi, MD
Principal Investigator
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for women over 18 with hair loss after breast cancer treatment, who haven't used endocrine therapy in the last 6 months or certain alopecia treatments without a 3-month break. It's not for those pregnant, breastfeeding, with scalp conditions, past hair transplants, taking anticoagulants (unless stopped a week before), or on fish oil/NSAIDs without pausing them.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment with injections into the scalp every 4 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- PRP Treatment
PRP Treatment is already approved in United States, Canada, European Union for the following indications:
- None specifically approved for knee osteoarthritis; some preparations have FDA approval for other uses but are used off-label for OA
- Not recommended in international OA treatment guidelines due to lack of high-quality evidence
- Not specifically approved for knee osteoarthritis; used off-label in some clinics
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Lead Sponsor