A perspective on predictive markers of alopecia

Abstract

Hair is a primary characteristic of mammals and is an immune-privileged structure. Autoimmune attack of the hair follicle characterizes a disease called alopecia areata (AA), an auto-immune disorder, targeting the anagen-stage hair follicle. Erythroid differentiation regulator 1 is one of the presently investigated biomarkers for hair loss disorders. There are majorly two types of AA, namely diffuse and focal. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common androgen-induced progressive disorder, the pathways of which are regulated by local genetic codes and hormonal control. AA incognita is a type of diffuse hair fall with no confirmatory diagnostic test. AGA in women is a common pathology, the systemic inflammation in AGA has not been extensively studied, but it raises the possibility of identifying new cardiovascular risk factors among female patients with AGA. Other biomarkers for hair loss disorders are C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, VSH, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. This review attempts to give a perspective on the predictive markers of alopecia, their significance, and implications for future research.