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Hair loss due to alopecia areata
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;6:592.e1-9.
Comparison of topical bexarotene 1% gel for alopecia areata.
Talpur R, et al
Alopecia areata, hair loss caused by T-cell infiltrates, is refractory to therapy. Bexarotene, a retinoid X receptor is a selective retinoid, induces T-cell apoptosis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the safety, including the dose-limiting toxicities with adverse events, and efficacy, ie, response rate, of bexarotene in alopecia areata. METHODS: We conducted a trial of 1% bexarotene gel applied twice daily for 6 months. RESULTS: In all, 42 patients with alopecia totalis , alopecia universalis, or alopecia areata applied 1% bexarotene gel for 24 weeks. Five of 42 had 50% or more partial hair regrowth on the treated side, and 6 of 42 on both sides including 3 complete responders. In all, 31 patients had mild irritation; 4 had grade-3 irritation. LIMITATIONS: This design cannot differentiate between drug-induced and spontaneous regrowth. Topical bexarotene 1% application is well tolerated and possibly effective. A randomized placebo-controlled trial should be conducted.
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