Chemotherapy-induced Alopecia

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Drug Development for Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss

Chemotherapy-induced hair loss (alopecia) (CIA) is a common and distressing side effect experienced by many cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This condition occurs due to the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs on rapidly dividing hair follicle cells, leading to temporary or, in some cases, permanent hair shedding. Hair loss not only affects patients’ physical appearance but also has significant psychological and emotional impacts, making it a critical area of focus in supportive cancer care.

Understanding the biological mechanisms behind CIA is essential for developing effective treatments to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer therapy. Preclinical research plays a vital role in this process by providing experimental models that mimic the clinical condition.

QIMA Life Sciences comprehensive portfolio includes both ex vivo and in vivo models specifically designed to support drug discovery and development for CIA. These models enable researchers to study the effects of chemotherapy on hair follicles, screen potential protective agents, and assess hair regrowth strategies in a controlled environment.

By advancing preclinical solutions tailored for chemotherapy-induced hair loss, we aim to accelerate the development of novel interventions that improve patient quality of life while maintaining effective cancer treatment outcomes.

Interested in learning how we can support your drug discovery and development?

Learn more below.

Related Publications

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS ON CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED ALOPECIA

PPARγ signaling protects hair follicle stem cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition

CDK4/6 inhibition mitigates stem cell damage in a novel model for taxane-induced alopecia.

>> Check the full list HERE.

Preclinical Models for Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia Research

EX VIVO MODELS

  • Healthy, full-length human hair follicle organ cultures treated with chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide, 4‑HC, or taxanes such as paclitaxel and docetaxel)
  • Protection and prevention of chemotherapy-induced side effects ex vivo

IN VIVO MODELS

  • Humanized mouse model of CIA, inducible with various chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide or doxorubicin). Developed in collaboration with Prof. Amos Gilhar, Skin Research Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
  • Assessment of preventive and therapeutic effects of test agents on hair physiology and pathology in vivo using this highly clinically relevant model, including analysis of long-term effects (up to 120 days).

We can help you evaluate the following readouts

Anagen maintenance and catagen induction

Proliferation and apoptosis

Cytotoxicity

Cell-cycle analysis

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)

Stem cell number, proliferation, apoptosis, and depletion

Number of hairs per xenograft

Anagen-to-telogen ratio

Multi-omics techniques

…among many others.

Study Examples Using Clinically Relevant Models for Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

CATAGEN DEVELOPMENT IN HAIR FOLLICLES EX VIVO

Test: Hair cycle staging

Method: Microscopical hair cycle analysis

Model: Healthy hair follicle organ culture

Results: Treatment with 4HC induces premature catagen development in hair follicles ex vivo

EPITHELIAL HAIR FOLLICLE STEM CELL DEPLETION EX VIVO

Test: Epithelial hair follicle stem cell detection

Method: Immunofluorescence staining

Model: Healthy hair follicle organ culture

Results: Treatment with 4HC results in depletion of epithelial hair follicle stem cells ex vivo

EPITHELIAL-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION (EMT) EX VIVO

Test: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition analysis

Method: Immunofluorescence staining

Model: Healthy hair follicle organ culture

Results: PPARγ activation by NAGED reduces EMT induced by 4HC

HAIR LOSS INDUCTION BY CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE IN VIVO

Test: Number of hairs per xenograft

Method: Macroscopic quantification of hair numbers growing on human skin transplants, grafted onto SCID/Beige mice

Model: Humanized mouse model

Results: PPARγ activation by NAGED reduces EMT induced by 4HC

At QIMA Life Sciences, we are committed to staying at the forefront of dermatology research by developing innovative approaches.

We provide smart, validated preclinical models for chemotherapy-induced alopecia and hair loss therapeutics, making us the perfect partner for your research.

Explore the Details in Our Flyer about Chemotherapy-induced Alopecia

DOWNLOAD HERE

Interested in Learning More?

HAIR BIOLOGY – MODELS FOR RESEARCH & TESTING

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HAIR TESTING & RESEARCH: BROCHURE

DynaCam technical datasheet

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