A randomized trial of minoxidil in chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
BACKGROUND
Hair loss is a side effect of many chemotherapeutic agents, and patients have even refused possibly palliative or lifesaving drugs because they could not accept temporary or prolonged baldness. Topical minoxidil has been shown to be effective for androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to investigate the value and safety of minoxidil in chemotherapy-induced hair loss.


METHODS
Twenty-two women who were facing adjuvant chemotherapy after breast surgery were registered in a protocol that used a 2% minoxidil topical solution or a placebo in a randomized double-blind trial.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference (favoring minoxidil) in the interval from maximal hair loss to first regrowth. Thus the period of baldness was shortened (mean, 50.2 days) in the minoxidil group.


CONCLUSIONS
Minoxidil decreased the duration of alopecia caused by chemotherapy. There were no significant side effects.
Duvic
M
M
Department of Medical Specialties, University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Lemak
N A
NA
Valero
V
V
Hymes
S R
SR
Farmer
K L
KL
Hortobagyi
G N
GN
Trancik
R J
RJ
Bandstra
B A
BA
Compton
L D
LD
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D013997:Time Factors
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D010919:Placebos; D008914:Minoxidil; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil