Latanoprost in the treatment of eyelash alopecia in alopecia areata universalis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of latanoprost in eyelash alopecia areata (AA).


METHODS
This study is a 2-year prospective, non-blinded, non-randomized, bilateral eyelash alopecia controlled study.


METHODS
The setting of this study was Trichology Unit, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain.


METHODS
We conducted a survey of 54 subjects with AA universalis treated with the protocol of the Trichology Unit of our Department. Control group comprised 10 subjects who received injections of 0.5 mg/cm(2) of triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) in their eyebrows and 1 mg/cm(2) of TAC injections in affected scalp. The treatment group included 44 subjects who received the same treatment as the control group in scalp and eyebrows but they also applied a drop of latanoprost 0.005% (50 microg/mL) ophthalmic solution in their eyelid margins every night. Subjects were reviewed every 3 months for 2 years.


RESULTS
Forty subjects finished the study and four subjects were lost to follow-up. In the treatment arm of this study, the course was well tolerated and uncomplicated. Both investigators and patients evaluated the regrowth. The results we obtained were: complete regrowth in 17.5%, moderate regrowth in 27.5%, slight regrowth in 30% and without response in 25%. Moderate and total regrowth constituted a cosmetically acceptable response. The therapy was continuous and the response remained without any side effects. No patients had cosmetically acceptable eyelash regrowth in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Latanoprost may be an effective drug in the treatment of eyelash AA because it induces acceptable responses (total and moderate) in 45% of the patients. A formal, blinded prospective unilateral controlled study will permit further understanding about this promising therapeutic agent for eyelash AA.
Coronel-Pérez
I M
IM
Department of Dermatology, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain.
Rodríguez-Rey
E M
EM
Camacho-Martínez
F M
FM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005127:Eye Color; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost