Scientists have developed a new technique, described as a “powerful double weapon,” to help prevent hair loss in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
The method combines scalp cooling, where patients wear a cold cap to reduce hair loss caused by chemotherapy drugs, with a lotion containing antioxidants similar to those found in red grapes.
This study, hailed as a “milestone,” also identified the ideal temperature for scalp cooling to maximize its effectiveness in preserving hair.
Cold caps are commonly used during chemotherapy to minimize hair loss.
The cooling action restricts blood flow to the scalp, thus reducing the amount of chemotherapy medication reaching the hair follicles.
Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University discovered that cooling the scalp to 18°C can effectively prevent hair follicle damage, whereas cooling to 26°C may not provide sufficient protection.
The team also demonstrated that combining topical antioxidants with cooling could significantly enhance the protective effect against hair loss.
Dr. Nik Georgopoulos, an associate professor of cell biology at Sheffield Hallam, described hair loss as the “face of cancer.”
“Hair loss occurs because the rapidly dividing cells at the base of the hair follicles are sensitive to the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs,” he explained.
“Chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they can’t differentiate between cancer cells and healthy, rapidly dividing cells in the body.”
“These rapidly dividing cells, or keratinocytes, at the base of our hair follicles constantly grow and form the actual hair.”
In the study, published in Frontiers of Pharmacology, hair follicles were isolated from the scalp and grown in the lab before being treated with chemotherapy to assess the impact.
“We found that they die,” Dr. Georgopoulos stated. “The cells responsible for rapid division and hair growth die due to the toxicity of chemotherapy.”
“However, cooling protects them, and I don’t just mean protected—prevented from dying.”
“If cooling is applied while hair follicles are grown in the lab, it can completely prevent the toxicity. But there’s a caveat: you must use the correct temperature.”
While an optimal temperature was identified, researchers also explored combining cooling with the antioxidant lotion as a potential solution for patients who might not respond well to cold cap therapy alone.
The lotion contained antioxidants like resveratrol, found in red grapes and peanuts, and N-Acetylcysteine, a dietary supplement.
Dr. Georgopoulos explained, “Cooling works for some patients but not for others. Some heads – I call them stubborn – don’t cool sufficiently.”
“By adding this topical product delivering the antioxidant, we’ve developed a powerful double weapon that, based on our lab results, can significantly enhance the protective effect of cooling.”
Importantly, Dr. Georgopoulos emphasized that the antioxidant lotion is not potent enough on its own.
“Cooling achieves multiple beneficial effects simultaneously,” he stated.
“What happens when the body gets cold? Blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the scalp and, consequently, less drug exposure. But it’s not that simple.”
“Our research has shown that cooling slows down cell division, offering protection.”
“It also reduces the amount of chemotherapy drug reaching the scalp – a further layer of protection. Optimal cooling delivers multiple benefits simultaneously.”
“If cooling isn’t optimal, our approach allows us to compensate for it with our topical product, even in less-than-ideal situations.”
Dr. Georgopoulos has collaborated with Paxman Scalp Cooling for over a decade.
The Huddersfield-based company has developed a device that circulates coolant through a specially designed cooling cap worn by the patient.
The cooling cap is worn for 30 minutes before chemotherapy begins, during the treatment, and for up to 90 minutes after the drugs are administered.
The new technique, which involves combining scalp cooling with antioxidants, could be trialed with cancer patients using the Paxman device. Researchers are currently finalizing the composition of the topical product.
Dr. Georgopoulos concluded, “Our ongoing work will ensure the highest possible efficacy, with the belief that a topical agent will not only dramatically enhance the ability of scalp cooling to protect from hair loss but also significantly accelerate hair recovery after chemotherapy treatment.”
