Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Endocrine-Induced Alopecia and Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized, Controlled, Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) shows potential in treating androgenetic alopecia but lacks evidence for endocrine-induced alopecia (EIA) or persistent chemotherapy-induced alopecia (pCIA).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate safety and efficacy of PRP in breast cancer survivors with EIA or pCIA.

METHODS

In this single-center, randomized, controlled trial, EIA and pCIA patients received PRP injections on one side of their scalp monthly for 3 months. Evaluations occurred at baseline and at week 12, followed by an optional cross-arm at week 24. The primary outcome was difference in global assessment scale (GAS) at week 12, assessed by a blinded investigator. Secondary outcomes included adverse events, hair-related quality of life, trichoscopic data, and circulating tumor cell (CTC) assay.

RESULTS

Fifteen EIA and 12 pCIA patients enrolled. GAS improved from baseline to week 12 (+1.2 each, p < .001) but not statistically significant between treated and untreated sides (p > .05). Hair density increased for both sides (+21 and +16 hairs/cm2, respectively, p < .05), without difference between the sides (p > .05). Quality of life showed no improvement (41.1–39.4, p > .05). Adverse events included grade 1 to grade 3 scalp pain. Two of 12 CTC assays detected malignant cells in PRP, but no tumor seeding events were observed.

CONCLUSION

PRP may increase hair density in EIA and pCIA patients and showed no adverse cancer outcomes or tumor seeding. Results may be confounded by possible PRP diffusion in split-scalp study design.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04459650

View the full publication here: https://journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery/abstract/2026/01000/platelet_rich_plasma_treatment_for.8.aspx

Rossi, Anthony MD; Pan, Alexander BS; Menzer, Christian MD; Lavin, Leore MD; Aleissa, Saud MD; Aleisa, Abdullah; Alshaikh, Hesham MD; Dranitsaris, George PhD; Dusza, Stephen DrPH; Bravo, Cindy BA; Lacouture, Mario E. MD. Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Endocrine-Induced Alopecia and Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized, Controlled, Pilot Study. Dermatologic Surgery 52(1):p 41-47, January 2026. | DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000004755