Alopecia in oncology: the practical significance of fundamental research

Purpose. To reflect the current understanding of the frequency, molecular mechanisms, and means of overcoming alopecia in cancer patients, taking into account the fundamental data of recent years on the physiology of the hair follicle and the pharmacological profile of the toxicity of anticancer drugs.

Material and Methods. A literature search using Medline, Pubmed, etc. databases was carried out. More than 200 publications devoted to the study of alopecia were found, of which 42 were included in this review.

Results. Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is a common adverse effect in cancer patients undergoing treatment. The frequency and molecular mechanism of the development of alopecia are related to the pharmacological features of the drug-based treatments, initial nutritional premorbid status, and predisposing polymorphisms of genes involved in drug conversion and excretion. Focal or diffuse alopecia may be the first sign of malignant growth within the paraneoplastic syndrome, primary or metastatic malignancies of the scalp, or be a manifestation of nutritional insufficiency. Baldness negatively affects the psycho-emotional state of patients, exacerbating depressive disorders, anxiety, reducing self-esteem and adherence to treatment. Thus, prevention or rapid overcoming of alopecia can significantly improve the quality of life of cancer patients. The use of scalp cooling or ‘cold caps’ is proven to be an effective way of combating chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

Conclusion. Further studies are needed to prevent and treat alopecia in cancer patients.

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