JAK2 Expression in Androgenetic Alopecia Before and After Topical Minoxidil

Kasr El Aini Hospital25 enrolled

Overview

Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of progressive hair loss. This prospective single-arm pre-post interventional study aims to assess tissue Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) expression in patients with androgenetic alopecia by comparing balding and non-balding scalp at baseline, and to evaluate changes in JAK2 expression in balding scalp after 3 months of topical minoxidil 5% therapy. Clinical response will be assessed using standardized trichoscopic parameters.

This study will recruit 25 adult patients aged 18 to 50 years with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia attending the Dermatology outpatient clinic, Cairo University Hospital. At baseline, participants will undergo clinical evaluation, standardized photography, and trichoscopic assessment. Three 2 mm scalp punch biopsies will be obtained over the course of the study: one from the balding scalp area and one from the non-balding scalp area at baseline, and one from the balding area after 3 months of therapy. Tissue JAK2 protein levels will be measured by ELISA. Participants will receive topical minoxidil 5% solution for 3 months (1 cc twice daily for men and once daily for women). The primary endpoint is the comparison of tissue JAK2 levels between balding and non-balding scalp at baseline. Secondary analyses will assess change in JAK2 levels after treatment and correlations with clinical improvement by trichoscopy.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Androgenetic Alopecia Androgenic Alopecia

Interventions

Topical Minoxidil 5% SolutionDRUG

Topical minoxidil 5% solution applied to the affected scalp areas for 12 weeks. Men will apply 1 cc twice daily and women will apply 1 cc once daily.

Scalp Punch BiopsyPROCEDURE

Three 2 mm punch biopsies will be obtained during the study: one from the balding scalp area and one from the non-balding scalp area at baseline, and one from the balding scalp area after 12 weeks of treatment.

Tissue JAK2 Protein Measurement by ELISADIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Tissue samples obtained from scalp punch biopsies will be analyzed for Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) protein levels using ELISA at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment.

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 50 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Male adults aged 18 to 50 years with androgenetic alopecia. * Mild to moderate disease severity, defined as Hamilton-Norwood scale II to V. * Patients who are treatment-naive or willing to undergo an adequate washout period for prior hair loss therapies of at least 1 month. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Other types of hair loss, including inflammatory or scarring alopecia. * Inflammatory scalp dermatoses, such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. * Use of systemic immunosuppressants, JAK inhibitors, or systemic corticosteroids within the last 12 months. * History of severe systemic disease, including renal, cardiovascular, or hepatic disease. * Chemotherapy during the last 5 years. * Bleeding disorders.

Locations (1)

Kasr El Aini Hospital

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Baseline Difference in Tissue JAK2 Protein Levels Between Balding and Non-Balding Scalp

Comparison of tissue Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) protein levels measured by ELISA in scalp biopsy specimens obtained at baseline from the balding area (vertex) and the non-balding area (occipital scalp) of participants with androgenetic alopecia.

Time frame: Baseline

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Tissue JAK2 Protein Levels in Balding Scalp After 12 Weeks of Topical Minoxidil

Change in tissue Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) protein levels measured by ELISA in scalp biopsy specimens obtained from the balding scalp area at baseline and again after 12 weeks of topical minoxidil 5% treatment.

Time frame: Baseline to Week 12

Change in Trichoscopic Hair Parameters After 12 Weeks of Treatment

Change in trichoscopic parameters from baseline to Week 12, including hair density, terminal hair density, vellus hair density, average hair thickness, follicular unit density, percentage of single, double, and triple-or-more hairs per follicular unit, and average number of hairs per follicular unit.

Time frame: Baseline to Week 12

Correlation Between Change in Tissue JAK2 Levels and Clinical Response

Correlation between the change in tissue JAK2 protein levels after treatment and the degree of clinical improvement assessed by trichoscopic parameters and baseline clinical characteristics.

Time frame: Week 12

Central Contacts

Heba Ahmed

CONTACT

+201016532351 heba.a.abdelgayed@kasralainy.edu.eg

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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