Topical Thyroid Hormones for Hair Regrowth
The study tests ex vivo—directly in the in the human target organ: scalp skin— whether FDA-approved, topically-applied T3 and T4 promote the production of key growth factors, metabolism, and stem cell activities required for human hair regrowth.
Project Status
Funding Opportunity
Background
There are two drugs of interest in the thyroid hormone family: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Past research has already shown that both can either prolong the anagen phase of the hair follicle cycle or mitigate hair stem cell apoptosis (desirable traits of hair loss treatments). The synthetic versions of T3 and T4, l-triiodothyronine and l-thyroxine, have well-documented pharmacokinetics, as they are both frequently prescribed orally today for hypothyroidism. While T4 is converted intracutaneously into T3 by the deiodinase enzyme, T4’s additional downstream pathways may also play a role in its hair growth effects. The study would be conducted on human scalp skin in organ culture, building off Paus et. al’s 2008 study on human hair follicles in organ culture. The primary differences between the previous ‘08 study and the current study are the organ tested and the application method: the ‘08 study was tested on hair follicles extracted from the scalp through a solution infused into the culture itself, whereas our study will be tested on scalp skin through a topical solution. In the ‘08 study, T4 increased hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and prolonged the anagen phase of the hair follicle cycle, while T3 mitigated hair matrix keratinocyte apoptosis.
Project Details
In order to decrease the risk of side effects, both T3 and T4 will be administered in pulse therapy, applied for several consecutive days followed by a prolonged period without administration. The total cost of the study will be $125 thousand dollars, dependent on additional readings obtained. The study would be conducted over 12 months, tested on scalp skin samples from three separate human donors. Our two primary testing doses are 100 pM of T3 (77.69 mcg) and 100 nM of T4 (0.065 mcg), the two most effective doses elucidated in the ‘08 study. Additionally (3-4 months later), we will test other dose regimens for each thyroid hormone, with the range determined by the initial toxicology metrics exhibited by each hormone’s primary doses. Finally (after an additional 3-4 months), we will test a combination of T3 and T4, determined by our results from each’s initial results. Each dose will be administered over a varied number of consecutive days. The efficacy and toxicology of all tests, conducted on human scalp skin in organ culture, will be measured by: Ki-67/caspase 3 (proliferation/apoptosis) keratin 15, keratin 15/Ki-67, Keratin 15/caspase 3 (epithelial HF stem cells) Warthin-Starry histochemistry (melanin production, also used for hair cycle staging & HF toxicity assessment) H&E histochemistry (hair cycle staging, HF morphology, HF toxicity) IGF-1, TGFß2, FGF7/KGF (key growth factors) K85 (key hair shaft keratin) CD31, VEGF-A (angiogenesis if stimulated–this will keep HFs longer in anagen and may promote vellus-to-terminal HF reconversion after long-term application in vivo). p-S6 expression (mTorC1 activity) MTCO1 expression (mitochondrial activity). Standardized photography (to assess hair shaft production after 6 days topical T3 and T4 application).
Project Timeline
Primary Dose Data Collection
Required Funding$75,000
Statusplanned
Duration4 MonthsThe first 4 months of our projected year-long study will generate our dataset for our two primary testing doses, 100 pM of T3 (77.69 mcg) and 100 nM of T4 (0.065 mcg). If successful, we can take these results to regulators to ascertain our best available patent path. This step requires an additional $25,000 at completion, after which we would test two additional doses if desired (for an additional $18,750).
Primary Dose Data Collection
Required Funding$75,000
Statusplanned
Duration4 MonthsThe first 4 months of our projected year-long study will generate our dataset for our two primary testing doses, 100 pM of T3 (77.69 mcg) and 100 nM of T4 (0.065 mcg). If successful, we can take these results to regulators to ascertain our best available patent path. This step requires an additional $25,000 at completion, after which we would test two additional doses if desired (for an additional $18,750)