Is Research Close to Finding Better Treatments or a Cure?

While a cure is not imminent, researchers are making headway toward a better understanding of the disease. This increased understanding will likely lead the way to better treatments for alopecia areata and eventually a way to prevent or even cure it.

Alopecia research ranges from the most basic studies of the mechanisms of hair growth and hair loss in mice to testing medications and ways to apply medications to help regrow hair in people. Both the National Institutes of Health and the National Alopecia Areata Foundation support research into the disease and its treatment. Here are some areas of research that hold promise.

Developing an animal model --This is a critical first step toward understanding the disease, and much progress has been made. By developing a mouse with a disease similar to human alopecia areata, researchers hope to learn more about the mechanism of the disease and eventually develop immune system treatments for the disease in people.

Mapping genes --Scientists are studying the possible genetic causes and mechanism of the disease both in families that have one or more persons with the disease and in the general population. An understanding of the genetics of the disorder will aid in disease prevention, early intervention, and development of specific therapies.

Studying hair follicle development --By studying how hair follicles form in mouse embryos, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of hair cycle biology that may lead to treatments for the underlying disease process.

Targeting the immune system --Several new agents found to be effective in treating psoriasis may prove to be effective in alopecia areata. These drugs work by blocking certain chemical messengers that play a role in the immune response, or by interfering with the activity of white blood cells (called T-cells) that are involved in the immune system's attack on hair follicles. New therapies for treating other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus may also benefit patients with alopecia areata.

Finding better ways to administer drugs --One limitation of current topical therapies is getting the drug to the source of the problem. Scientists are looking for a substance that penetrates the fat under the skin to deliver medication directly to hair follicles. In laboratory animals, topically applied synthetic sacs called liposomes seem to fill the bill. Studies are still needed to show whether liposomes do the same for people.

Understanding cytokines --Chemical messengers called cytokines play a role in regulating the body's immune response, whether it is the normal response to a foreign invader such a virus or an abnormal response to a part of the body. Researchers believe that by giving certain inflammation-suppressing cytokines, they may be able to slow down or stop the body's abnormal response to the hair follicles. Because giving the cytokines systemically may cause adverse effects, they believe a topical medication using liposomes to get the agents to the root of the hair inside the follicle may be preferable.

Understanding stem cell biology --Epithelial stem cells are immature cells that are responsible for regenerating and maintaining a variety of tissues, including the skin and the hair follicles. Stem cells in the follicle appear to be spared from injury in alopecia areata, which may explain why the potential for regrowth is always there in people with the disease. By studying the biology of these cells, and their immediate offspring, which seem to be targeted by the immune system, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of factors that trigger the disease.
 

How Can I Take Part in Research?

A good place to start is the National Alopecia Areata Registry sponsored by the NIAMS.

The registry, a network of five centers, will identify and register patients with the disease and collect information and blood samples (containing genes). Data, including genetic information, will be made available to researchers studying the genetic basis and other aspects of the disease and disease risk.

The registry is seeking U.S. residents with alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, or alopecia universalis diagnosed by a dermatologist. Although the registry itself will not be involved in any kind of treatment for alopecia areata, people who register will be made aware of studies for which they may qualify.

To take part in the registry, people don't have to live near or travel to one of the five centers; however, they do have to meet some requirements to participate. For more information, log onto the registry Web site at www.AlopeciaAreataRegistry.org or have your doctor contact:

Madeline Duvic, M.D., Principal Investigator
Department of Dermatology
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 434
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-792-5999
Fax: 713-794-1491
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Where Can I Learn More About Alopecia Areata?

You can get additional information through the following organizations:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
Phone: 301-495-4484 or
877-22-NIAMS (226-4267) (free of charge)
TTY: 301-565-2966
Fax: 301-718-6366
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.niams.nih.gov

American Academy of Dermatology
P.O. Box 4014
Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014
Phone: 847-330-0230 or
888-462-DERM (3376) (free of charge)
Fax: 847-330-0500
www.aad.org

National Alopecia Areata Foundation
National Alopecia Areata Foundation
14 Mitchell Blvd.
San Rafael, CA 94903
or
PO Box 150760
San Rafael, CA 94915-0760
Phone: 415-472-3780
Fax: 415-472-5343
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web site: www.naaf.org