Chemotherapy-induced hair loss (alopecia) affects up to 60% of patients and remains one of the most visible and emotionally- challenging side effects of treatment. Beyond its physical impact, hair loss is closely linked to reduced confidence, psychological distress, and, in some cases, decisions around treatment continuation.
Scalp cooling is currently the only clinically approved method to help prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss. By lowering the temperature of the scalp during treatment, it reduces the exposure of hair follicles to chemotherapy drugs. While effective for many patients, the approach has important limitations.
One of the most significant challenges is patient discomfort. Many individuals experience headaches, scalp pain, and intense cold sensations, particularly during the initial stages of treatment. For some, this leads to early discontinuation, reducing the overall benefit of the therapy. In addition, scalp cooling may be less effective for certain modern treatments, where drug exposure persists beyond the cooling period.
Dr Ana-Maria Totea, Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science and Programme Leader for Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Greenwich, previously developed an antioxidant-based formulation aimed at reducing hair loss during chemotherapy, which is now progressing towards commercialisation. This early work has acted as a catalyst for further research in the area.
Dr Totea has now been awarded a £125,000 Springboard Award from the Academy of Medical Sciences to further address the challenges associated with scalp cooling, through the optimisation of a drug delivery system that can be applied directly to the scalp to protect hair follicles from chemotherapy-induced damage while reducing discomfort associated with cooling.
The work combines formulation optimisation with laboratory-based evaluation using advanced analytical techniques and studies conducted on tissues, organs and cells outside the body to assess follicular delivery, safety, and overall performance. By enhancing the performance of existing scalp cooling approaches, the research seeks to improve patient adherence and overall outcomes.
What the funding will support
The research will also involve collaboration with Paxman Scalp Cooling, a global leader in scalp cooling technology. This work builds on prior collaborative research between Dr Totea and the company, providing a strong foundation for further development.
Importantly, the research has strong translational potential, with a clear pathway towards real-world application. The longer-term goal is to support integration into clinical practice, aligning with wider efforts to improve not only treatment outcomes, but also patient experience and quality of life.
If successful, the impact could be significant. Even modest improvements in comfort and adherence could lead to a meaningful reduction in chemotherapy-induced hair loss across patient populations. For individuals undergoing treatment, this could translate into greater confidence, reduced distress, and an improved overall experience during a highly challenging time.
More broadly, the project reflects an increasing focus within oncology on supportive care innovations, ensuring that patients are not only treated effectively, but are also better supported throughout their treatment journey.
The Academy of Medical Sciences is the independent, expert voice of biomedical and health research in the UK. Delivered through the Academy’s flagship Springboard programme, the grants support curiosity-driven, discovery-stage research – the foundational science that underpins future treatments and interventions. The awards support researchers to take their first steps as independent group leaders, testing bold ideas with the potential to improve lives, reduce health inequalities and strengthen the UK’s long-term research base. The University of Greenwich was funded by the programme for the first time this year.
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said:
"To tackle cruel diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and chronic pain, and ultimately save lives, we must help researchers to take their ambitious discovery-stage work to the next level. This support is backing researchers at a stage where attracting commercial investment can be a challenge and builds on the Government’s record investment in research – unlocking more discoveries that benefit people across the UK and beyond."
What this award means
Dr Totea said:
“Receiving the Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard Award is a significant milestone for both me and the University of Greenwich. It is a highly competitive scheme, and I am delighted to have received this award.
“For me, it provides an opportunity to further develop and strengthen my independent research group, building on work focused on improving supportive care in oncology, with the aim of making a meaningful difference to patients undergoing treatment. In addition to the research funding, the award also provides valuable support for career development moving forward.
“This award is also a significant achievement for the university. It reflects the growing strength of research in pharmaceutical science and the university’s commitment to delivering innovative, impactful work that addresses real-world healthcare challenges -not only by treating disease, but also by improving patient experience and quality of life.”
