Understanding Pattern Hair Loss-Hair Biology Impacted by Genes, Androgens, Prostaglandins and Epigenetic Factors

Updated Review of Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

Alopecia, a widespread issue affecting both genders, often manifests as androgenetic alopecia, although a thorough examination is needed to rule out other causes. This chapter focuses on the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride and minoxidil, the Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments, offer stability and in some cases improvement in scalp coverage. Platelet-rich plasma exhibits positive results as an off-label alopecia therapy. For eligible individuals, hair transplantation proves effective, using healthy follicular units to restore hair-bearing areas. Multiple options allow for the tailoring of interventions to each patient.

Prioritizing susceptibility genes for the prognosis of male-pattern baldness with transcriptome-wide association study

BACKGROUND

Male-pattern baldness (MPB) is the most common cause of hair loss in men. It can be categorized into three types: type 2 (T2), type 3 (T3), and type 4 (T4), with type 1 (T1) being considered normal. Although various MPB-associated genetic variants have been suggested, a comprehensive study for linking these variants to gene expression regulation has not been performed to the best of our knowledge.

RESULTS

In this study, we prioritized MPB-related tissue panels using tissue-specific enrichment analysis and utilized single-tissue panels from genotype-tissue expression version 8, as well as cross-tissue panels from context-specific genetics. Through a transcriptome-wide association study and colocalization analysis, we identified 52, 75, and 144 MPB associations for T2, T3, and T4, respectively. To assess the causality of MPB genes, we performed a conditional and joint analysis, which revealed 10, 11, and 54 putative causality genes for T2, T3, and T4, respectively. Finally, we conducted drug repositioning and identified potential drug candidates that are connected to MPB-associated genes.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, through an integrative analysis of gene expression and genotype data, we have identified robust MPB susceptibility genes that may help uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms and the novel drug candidates that may alleviate MPB.

Hair Transplantation in the United States: A Population-based Survey of Female and Male Pattern Baldness

Background

Androgenetic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss, can impair the patient's overall mental health. Although there are pharmaceutical and surgical treatments available, little is known about the public standpoint toward hair transplantation (HT).

Methods

A sample of individuals living in the United States (n = 1000; male and female participants were equally distributed) was asked to fill out the questionnaire. The online survey was conducted in June 2022.

Results

Most participants (42%; n = 416) were between 41 and 60 years of age. Study participants frequently reported that, with their hair loss progressing, they would not feel attractive anymore (n = 400; 40%), nor as confident as before (n = 330; 33%). Although women with minimal hair loss were willing to spend a median price of $4000 [interquartile range (IQ) IQR $1000-$5000], women with extensive hair loss were willing to spend significantly more (median = $5000; IQR $3600-$6375; P = 0.011). This was reproducible in men (P = 0.033). Although significantly fewer women considered undergoing HT (430 women versus 447 men; P < 0.001), female participants were willing to pay more for their HT compared with men (P = 0.039).

Conclusions

Individuals living in the United States consider hair loss to impair their attractiveness and regard HT as a valuable therapeutic option. More affordable and gender-specific HT should be subject to future research work.