Krefft-Trzciniecka K, Piętowska Z, Pakiet A, Nowicka D, Szepietowski JC. Short-Term Clinical Assessment of Treating Female Androgenetic Alopecia with Autologous Stem Cells Derived from Human Hair Follicles.
Biomedicines 2024;
12:153. [PMID:
38255258 PMCID:
PMC10813176 DOI:
10.3390/biomedicines12010153]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of alopecia, but treatment options are limited. This study evaluated clinical improvement in hair condition in women with AGA six months after a single injection of autologous cell micrografts (ACMs) containing hair follicle stem cells and dermal papilla cells.
METHODS
Twenty-three women with clinically and dermoscopy-confirmed AGA were included. Five 2.5 mm punch biopsies were taken from the skin of each patient with the Regenera device. The cell suspension was prepared with the Rigeneracons device and then injected into the hormone-dependent hairy zone of the scalp.
RESULTS
A significant improvement was observed on the visual analog scale (VAS) when comparing pre- and post-procedure photos (p < 0.001). The change in VAS scores was moderately negatively correlated with baseline ferritin concentration and positively with iron concentration. Improved outcomes were associated with higher baseline levels of sex hormone-binding globulin and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone. Neither testosterone nor DHT showed a significant correlation with VAS scores.
CONCLUSIONS
The ACM procedure was shown to be both safe and effective, yielding satisfying results six months after a single treatment session. Future investigations should aim to gather evidence that enables the development of a cost-effective approach while minimizing treatment burden and costs.
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