Ana-Maria Totea, Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science and Programme Leader Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Greenwich has developed a formulation aimed at reducing hair loss during chemotherapy. Her research has been published in The Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology.
During chemotherapy, some of the treatment can reach hair follicles through the blood vessels supplying them, leading to significant hair loss. It has been found that caps that cool the scalp when worn during chemotherapy cause vasoconstriction, or constriction of the blood vessels around the hair follicle, decreasing blood flow and limiting the amount of chemotherapy drugs that reach the follicles, helping to minimise hair loss.
Dr. Totea has been collaborating with Paxman Scalp Cooling, the leading global manufacturer of scalp cooling caps worn during chemotherapy, to develop a specialised hair serum formulation to support their goal of achieving 0% hair loss from chemotherapy. This serum can be applied prior to scalp cooling to significantly enhance their effectiveness in preventing hair loss. This combined approach is particularly important because scalp cooling therapy has shown variable efficacy across different patients and treatment regimes. Factors such as individual differences in scalp physiology, blood flow, and the duration of cooling can influence the success of the therapy. By combining scalp cooling with targeted formulations, Dr Totea aims to achieve more consistent and improved outcomes for a broader range of patients.
To this end, Dr Totea has created a hair serum that incorporates nanostructured lipid carriers (nanoparticles that incorporate a mixture of solid and liquid lipids along with a potent antioxidant). This formulation is designed to protect the hair follicle from the toxicity of chemotherapy by reducing its harmful effects. When applied, the formulation penetrates through the skin to reach the hair follicles, delivering its protective effects directly where they are most needed.
The formula has been tested and proven effective on pig skin. The next stage is human trials and, if successful, the product has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of countless patients.
Dr Totea says: “Our goal is to make hair loss during chemotherapy a thing of the past. Using innovative formulations and fostering collaborative efforts across the medical and scientific communities, we strive to develop solutions that not only preserve hair but also enhance the overall well-being of patients. We believe that maintaining a sense of normalcy, dignity, and confidence during treatment is essential, and we are committed to providing therapies that support both the physical and emotional health of those facing cancer. Together, we hope to transform the experience of chemotherapy, making it less daunting and more supportive for every patient.”
