PRP for Eyebrow Hypotrichosis and Alopecia Areata

Overseen By Derm CTU

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Northwestern University

Must not be taking: Anticoagulants, Anti-platelets, Minoxidil, others

Disqualifiers: Alopecia, Cancer, Thyroid diseases, others

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if platelet-rich plasma (PRP), derived from a participant's own blood, can promote hair growth in individuals with thin eyebrows. Participants will receive either PRP or a saline solution in their eyebrows to compare effects. The trial will last nine months and assess the practicality of this approach. It suits individuals in the Chicago area with mild to moderate eyebrow thinning who are in good health. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are using medications that affect eyebrow hair growth, like minoxidil or bimatoprost, you can continue them if you've been on them for at least 12 months and agree to keep the same dose during the study. However, if you started these medications within 6 months of screening, you may not be eligible to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this treatment is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is generally safe for treating hair and eyebrow issues. Studies have found that PRP can cause mild side effects, such as pain, a burning sensation, scalp discomfort, and temporary redness. These effects are usually mild and resolve on their own. Importantly, these studies have found no evidence of serious problems from using PRP.

PRP has been used to treat alopecia areata, a type of hair loss, and has shown promise in promoting hair regrowth. While more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness, current findings suggest that PRP is a safe option for those seeking to improve hair growth. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is unique because it uses a person's own blood components to potentially stimulate hair growth in conditions like eyebrow hypotrichosis and alopecia areata. Unlike traditional treatments, which often involve topical solutions or oral medications like corticosteroids and minoxidil, PRP involves injecting concentrated platelets directly into the skin. This delivery method allows PRP to directly target affected areas, potentially enhancing hair restoration. Researchers are excited because PRP may offer a more natural and potentially effective way to regenerate hair with fewer side effects compared to conventional therapies.

What evidence suggests that platelet-rich plasma might be an effective treatment for eyebrow hypotrichosis?

Research has shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which participants in this trial may receive, can aid in hair regrowth. One study found that 52.8% of individuals with alopecia areata, a condition causing hair loss, experienced improvement after PRP treatment. This suggests that PRP may promote hair growth. Another study reported positive effects of PRP on male pattern hair loss without major side effects. Although limited information exists on PRP's effects on thinning eyebrows, these findings suggest it might be beneficial for similar conditions. Participants in this trial may also receive a placebo treatment with sterile saline for comparison. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Murad Alam

Principal Investigator

Northwestern University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-85 in the Chicago area with mild to moderate eyebrow thinning who are healthy and can give informed consent. It's not for those with uncontrolled diseases affecting hair growth, recent use of certain hair growth drugs, significant blood disorders, genetic conditions impacting fibroblasts or collagen, pregnant/breastfeeding individuals, or those unable to follow the study protocol.

Inclusion Criteria

Subjects who are willing and have the ability to understand and provide informed consent for participation in the study and are able to communicate with the investigator

Subjects are in good health as judged by the investigator

You have thin eyebrows, but not too severe.

Exclusion Criteria

You have a medical condition that is not well controlled and could prevent your hair from growing properly.

Patients who have started used agents that may affect eyebrow hair growth (e.g. minoxidil or bimatoprost) within 6 months of screening. Patients who have been using agents that may affect eyebrow hair growth for at least 12 months may be included if the patient agrees to continue their current dosing regimen for the duration of the study

History of a clinically significant hematologic disorder as determined by the investigator

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive intradermal injections of either autologous PRP or sterile saline to eyebrows, with three treatments performed 1 month apart

3 months

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Platelet-rich Plasma
• Saline

Trial Overview The trial tests if injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) help people with sparse eyebrows compared to saline (saltwater) injections. About 40 participants will be randomly chosen to receive either PRP or saline over a period of nine months in this pilot study aimed at assessing procedure feasibility.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Platelet-Rich Plasma Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive intradermal injections of 2-3mL autologous PRP to eyebrows.Three treatments will be performed 1 month apart.

Group II: Placebo (sterile saline) Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants will receive intradermal injections of 2-3mL sterile saline to eyebrows.Three treatments will be performed 1 month apart.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087002420300125

Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata The results showed a remission rate of 52.8% and 35.4% in PRP and TAC, respectively, at week 6. However, this difference was statistically insignificant (P = ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4622412/

The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth Our data clearly highlight the positive effects of PRP injections on male pattern hair loss and absence of major side effects.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04018859

NCT04018859 | Platelet-rich Plasma for Eyebrows This is a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of autologous platelet rich plasma in subjects with mild to moderate eyebrow hypotrichosis.

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-3-hypotrichosis-8-2019-62914

PRP for Eyebrow Hypotrichosis and Alopecia Areata The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of mild to moderate eyebrow hypotrichosis.

5. foliamedica.bg foliamedica.bg/article/115484/

Platelet-rich plasma efficacy in alopecia areata patients ... The present study showed that PRP application resulted in significant improvement in hair restoration in patients with mild to moderate forms of ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9731377/

Platelet-rich plasma in alopecia areata and primary cicatricial ... PRP is a relatively safe procedure with mild adverse effects, such as tolerable pain, scalp discomfort, burning sensation, and transient erythema. To date, ...

7. chevychasedermatologycenter.com chevychasedermatologycenter.com/storage/app/media/prp-hair-pdf.pdf

The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth [4] described the use of PRP in alopecia areata. (AA). The results of this pilot study suggest that PRP may serve as a safe and effective treatment option in AA ...