Topical Calcipotriol Therapy for Mild-to-Moderate Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Alopecia areata (AA) is considered a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease characterized by patchy loss of hair from scalp and other body parts with no definitive treatment. Calcipotriol is a vitamin D analogue and a potent immunomodulatuary molecule. In recent studies, low serum vitamin D levels have been observed in patients with AA and various autoimmune diseases. Previous reports have also described the effects of vitamin D on hair follicles.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical calcipotriol for the treatment of mild-to-moderate patchy AA.

METHOD:

Forty-eight patients with mild-to-moderate AA were enrolled in the retrospective, 12-week trial. Calcipotriol cream was applied to the affected areas twice a day. Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score and hair regrowth rate were calculated at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks.

RESULTS:

At week 12, the total response was achieved in 69.2% of patients. When the mean SALT score of patients at week 12 was compared to that of patients at baseline, the value at week 12 was significantly lower (P= 0.001). A regrowth score (RGS) ≥ 3 (hair regrowth of ≥ 50%) was observed in 75% of patients, whereas a RGS ≥ 4 (hair regrowth of ≥ 75%) was observed in 62.5% of patients and the complete regrowth rate (hair regrowth= 100%) was 27.1%.

CONCLUSION:

Calcipotriol may serve as a safe and effective treatment option in mild-to-moderate patchy AA, and calls for more extensive controlled studies with this treatment.

• Authors: Aslı Aksu Çerman, Sezgi Sarıkaya Solak, İlknur Altunay, Nihal Aslı Küçükünal
• Journal: Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (J Drugs Dermatol) Vol. 14 Issue 6 Pg. 616-20 (Jun 2015) ISSN: 1545-9616 [Print] United States
• PMID: 26091388 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunologic Factors
• calcipotriene
• Calcitriol

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adult
• Alopecia Areata (drug therapy)
• Calcitriol (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunologic Factors (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome