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Autologous cell-based therapy for male and female pattern hair loss using dermal sheath cup cells: A randomized
Ryoji Tsuboi1, Shiro Niiyama2, Ryokichi Irisawa1
1Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Tokyo, Japan.
Background:
Few effective treatments are available for male pattern hair loss (MPHL) or, especially, for female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Recently, cell-based therapies using autologous or allogeneic cells have been used clinically.
Objective:
We examined the safety and efficacy of autologous cell-based therapy using dermal sheath cup (DSC) cells to treat MPHL and FPHL.
Methods:
DSCs dissected from occipital hair follicles were cultured to manufacture DSC cells. Participants with MPHL or FPHL received single injections of 7.5 × 106, 1.5 × 106, or 3.0 × 105 DSC cells or a placebo in 4 randomized separate regions on the scalp, and hair densities and diameters were measured for 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
Results:
Fifty men and 15 women aged 33 to 64 years were injected with DSC cells. Total hair density and cumulative hair diameter at the 3.0 × 105 DSC cells injection site was significantly increased compared with the placebo after 6 and 9 months. Men and women showed similar improvements, and there were no serious adverse events.
Limitations:
No lower cell numbers were tested, and the positive effect was temporary until 9 months.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that cell therapy with autologous DSC cells may be useful as a new therapeutic method for treating MPHL and FPHL.
