Latanoprost in the treatment of eyelash alopecia in alopecia areata universalis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

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

DESIGN:

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

SETTING:

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

PATIENTS:

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.

• Authors: I M Coronel-Pérez, E M Rodríguez-Rey, F M Camacho-Martínez
• Journal: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol) Vol. 24 Issue 4 Pg. 481-5 (Apr 2010) ISSN: 1468-3083 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20028444 (Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dermatologic Agents
• Prostaglandins F, Synthetic
• Latanoprost

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Alopecia Areata (drug therapy)
• Child
• Dermatologic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Eye Color
• Eyelashes (drug effects, growth & development)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Latanoprost
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Prostaglandins F, Synthetic (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult