Efficacy of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma alone or in Combination with a Lotion Containing Growth-Factor like Polypeptides and Taurine in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: A Randomized, Prospective, AssessorBlinded Trial

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) dermal injections are considered as a therapeutic option for the medical treatment of androgenic alopecia (AGA). However, clinical efficacy of this approach in some cases could be disappointing. Positive effects of PRP in AGA seem to correlate, at least in part, with a growth factors mimicking action. A hair scalp lotion containing high-purified, growth factors-like polypeptides (octapeptide 2, acetyl decapeptide 3, oligopeptide 20 and copper tripeptide) with the addition of glycine and taurine (GFM-L) is available. So far, no data regarding the potential synergistic effect of autologous PRP treatment combined with GFM-L are available. We therefore conducted a prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded trial to compare the efficacy and tolerability of PRP alone vs. PRP and GFM-L treatment in men and women with AGA. Materials and methods: The study was a prospective, randomized (with a balance ratio of 2:1), assessor-blinded, 3- month trial. Thirty subjects (18 men and 12 women; mean age: 41 years) were enrolled after their written informed consent. Twenty subjects were allocated to PRP treatment cycle followed by GFM-L application for 3 months (2 ml of lotion every other day) (Group A) and 10 subjects were allocated to PRP treatment alone (Group B). In both groups autologous PRP injections on the affected area were performed over a period of 3 months at interval of 3-4 weeks, using a volume of 10 cc of PRP for each session treatment. Primary end point was the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score of clinical efficacy at month 3 in comparison with baseline. IGA score ranged from 0 (no improvement) to 3 (strong improvement). Secondary endpoint was the evolution of Hamilton scale grading (HSG), evaluated at baseline and at the end of study period. IGA score and HSG were performed by an investigator unaware of the treatment allocation group. Results: All the enrolled subjects concluded the study period. At baseline HSG was 2.0 ± 0.6 in Group A and 2.1 ± 0.3 in Group B. At month 3, a significant reduction of HSG was observed in Group A subjects only, both in comparison with baseline and in comparison, with Group B values (1.3 ± 0.5 vs. 2.1 ± 0.37; P=0.0028). At month 3, IGA score was 2.1 ± 0.9 in group A and 0.8 ± 0.3 in group B (P=0.0031). GFM-lotion was well tolerated. Conclusion: The combination of GFM-lotion containing growth factors like peptides and taurine with autologous PRP treatment is superior in term of efficacy to the treatment with PRP alone in subjects with AGA.