Novel agents for the treatment of alopecia

Recent approval in the United States of two new products, Propecia (Merck C o, Rahway, NJ) and Rogaine Extra Strength 5% (Pharmacia & UpJohn Co, Kalama zoo, MI), indicated in men to promote scalp hair growth, have added a new d imension to treatment options offered by physicians in treating androgeneti c alopecia (AGA). The search for new and effective agents to treat many dif ferent hair loss problems hers been intensified by the increase in hair bio logy research taking pierce worldwide, from university-academic institution s to the pharmaceutical companies. All have a desire to profit from marketi ng such drugs that have been termed, "cosmeceuticals." Millions of men and women of every race suffer from various forms of alopecia, the most common being AGA where the target tissue active androgen, 5 alpha dihydrotestoster one (DHT) aggravates genetically programmed scalp hair follicles that resul ts in short, fine, miniaturized hairs. Currently available to treat alopeci a ore drugs indicated for other disease processes because no ct her agents are accessable; some have severe side-effects and many are minimally effect ive. These prescription drugs were not originally indicated for alopecia an d have not been adequately tested in controlled clinical trials to assess f or efficacy, safety, and toxicity. These agents continue to be used clinica lly to treat patients with various forms of alopecia. As a result, ct varie ty of new agents are emerging in the patient application process to gain pr otection and approval specifically for various forms of alopecia. This repo rt reviews the most recently approved products, some of the more promising compounds in clinical trial development, as well as those in the over the c ounter (OTC) "natural" treatments category. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saun ders Company.