MINOXIDIL (MX) AS A PROPHYLAXIS OF DOXORUBICIN - INDUCED ALOPECIA

Background: Minoxidil (Mx) is known to induce hair growth in men with male-pattern baldness. Based on this potential, the effectiveness of M x 2% topical solution was evaluated in cancer patients (pts) to preven t doxorubicin-induced alopecia. Patients and methods: 48 female pts wi th different types of solid tumors treated with doxorubicin-based chem otherapy in a dose range of 50-60 mg/m2/cycle were randomly assigned t o receive Mx 2% topical solution or placebo. Results: 88% and 92% of p ts in both arms showed severe alopecia (p = ns). No adverse effects we re observed. Conclusion: In this study Mx 2% topical solution was non- toxic but was not effective in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia.