Hair loss during chemotherapy can be distressing for some women, leading to a loss of self-confidence. Experts suggest this may even discourage them from pursuing chemotherapy treatment altogether.
Oral minoxidil is a standard treatment for hair loss and is also the active ingredient in Rogaine. However, since it dilates blood vessels, experts are concerned that it could exacerbate heart-related side effects of chemotherapy, potentially causing chest pain, shortness of breath, or fluid buildup.
A study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health found that low oral doses of minoxidil taken during or after breast cancer treatment helped regrow hair in most women without causing serious heart-related side effects.
The study included 51 women, with 25 receiving a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, while 26 had only surgery and radiation.
Study co-lead author Devyn Zaminski, BA, a medical student at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said, “Our results should offer reassurance to breast cancer patients that there is indeed a safe way to combat their hair loss.”
For their analysis, researchers at NYU Langone Health reviewed data from 2012 to 2023, focusing on breast cancer patients prescribed oral minoxidil for hair loss. Out of hundreds of patients, they identified 51 women who had taken the medication for over a month and had data on its tolerance.
The study considered age, race, medical history, cancer details, and other medications. Both physician assessments and patient self-reports showed that all participants who took low doses of oral minoxidil experienced improvements in hair growth or stabilization of hair loss within three to six months.
Co-senior author Kristen Lo Sicco, MD, associate professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said, “Based on these findings, minoxidil has been shown to be safe for patients while also being effective. Minoxidil’s effectiveness may help patients restore their sense of self and some control in a situation where it has been visibly taken away.”
The research team emphasizes that further studies are needed to confirm these results in a larger group of patients, including those with other types of cancer and different chemotherapy regimens.
They also caution that some mild heart-related side effects, like minor fluid buildup, might not have been reported, as they could have occurred without noticeable symptoms.
Additionally, the team notes that some of the assessments by physicians and patients were based on self-reports or observations, which could introduce limitations.
Journal Reference:
- Devyn Zaminski, Michelle Sikora et al. Tolerability and effectiveness of low-dose oral minoxidil for alopecia in patients with breast cancer: a retrospective cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.11.048