Clinical Efficacy of Diphenylcyclopropenone in Alopecia Areata: Retrospective Data Analysis of 50 Patients.

Abstract

Diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is widely considered the most effective topical immunotherapy for refractory or extensive alopecia areata (AA), but questions regarding how long to try DPCP therapy before terminating and what factors are prognostic of therapeutic success still remain unanswered. In this retrospective study of 50 AA patients, we evaluated DPCP efficacy and identified patient factors predictive of therapeutic success/failure. The median duration of DPCP treatment was 3 years, with 47% patients experiencing their first regrowth in the first 6 months of DPCP therapy, 20% between 6 months-1 year, and 8% between 1-2 years. In our study, treatment success, defined as ⩾50% terminal hair regrowth, was reached in 71% of alopecia totalis patients and in 56% of alopecia universalis patients. Three factors were statistically significant predictors of poor treatment outcome-extent of hair loss before DPCP treatment, history of thyroid disease, and extent of body hair involvement. Relapse was observed in 44% of patients and significantly associated with history of thyroid disease. Common side effects were itching, rash, and local lymphadenopathy. The results of this study support our belief that DPCP therapy is a viable treatment option, can be successfully accomplished at home, and should not be terminated before 2 years.

• Authors: Katherine S Chiang, Natasha A Mesinkovska, Melissa P Piliang, Wilma F Bergfeld
• Journal: The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings (J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc) Vol. 17 Issue 2 Pg. 50-5 (Nov 2015) ISSN: 1529-1774 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26551948 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cyclopropanes
• Dermatologic Agents
• diphenylcyclopropenone

Topics

• Administration, Cutaneous
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Alopecia (drug therapy)
• Alopecia Areata (complications, drug therapy)
• Child
• Cyclopropanes (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Dermatologic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Hair (growth & development)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Recurrence
• Retrospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Thyroid Diseases (complications)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult