Scientists are on observe to discover a remedy for autoimmune hair loss

A analysis group, led by Dr. Pavel Majer from IOCB Prague, in collaboration with the laboratories of Barbara Slusher and Louis Garza at Johns Hopkins College, has developed a compound that might probably deal with the autoimmune dysfunction alopecia areata, which causes hair loss, resulting in the formation of bald patches.

The outcomes of their research, lately revealed within the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, verify the efficacy of a sequence of prodrugs based mostly on derivatives of itaconic acid, merely known as itaconates. Furthermore, there’s a good probability that the substances can be administrable orally within the type of tablets and never simply as an ointment.

Itaconate is a naturally occurring substance with anti-inflammatory results elicited by interacting with the immune system. Nevertheless, itaconate has the weak spot that it doesn’t simply penetrate the cells. The workforce of Pavel Majer, which has spent a number of years growing a drug for alopecia, has surmounted this impediment by growing prodrugs, compounds that convert into an energetic drug solely inside the physique.

“We now have ready a sequence of prodrugs, not less than two of which look like extremely efficient. Exams on mice have confirmed that the compounds are absorbed nicely and launch the energetic ingredient within the pores and skin on the proper focus. Our itaconate derivatives might thus symbolize a very new technique of treating alopecia,” says Pavel Majer, head of the Drug Discovery group at IOCB Prague.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune dysfunction wherein the immune system assaults hair follicles, resulting in their irritation and consequently to hair loss and impaired hair progress. The situation impacts about 2% of individuals, principally girls, and is the second most typical reason behind hair loss, after androgenetic alopecia (sample baldness). Present remedies are predominantly based mostly on corticosteroids, which include quite a lot of unwanted side effects.

The scientists have proved that the brand new substances might carry important aid to sufferers with alopecia areata. The present article builds on an earlier research by these teams, revealed in 2022 in PNAS Nexus.

The appreciable potential of this discovery has additionally been acknowledged by the pharmaceutical firm SPARC, which has bought a license for the patented expertise using itaconate prodrugs. One of many compounds developed, SCD-153, when utilized as an ointment, relieves irritation, protects hair follicles, and in accordance with earlier checks on mice, accelerates the expansion of recent hair. It does so by making hair follicles transition from a dormant state to an energetic one.

SPARC has already began recruiting sufferers for a section 1 scientific trial of this promising compound.