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"Bald Gene" Association Found. Is This The Answer To Both Male And Female Hair Loss?

“A cure for baldness is one step closer after scientists found two genes that dramatically increase the chance of hair loss in men,” the Daily Express reported.

It said that tests in over 1,125 men have revealed that men who have two genetic variants are seven times more likely to lose their hair. The newspaper reports that around 14% of men carry both genetic variants, a third of men suffer from baldness by the age of 45, and 80% of cases are thought to be caused by genetic factors.

This genetics study has confirmed the association of the AR gene with male-pattern baldness (it is located on the X chromosome and therefore inherited down the female line). The study also identified a variation within chromosome 20 that also seems to be associated with the condition. However, the variations on chromosome 20 are not located within a gene (a region of DNA that contains instructions to make a protein), therefore determining how or why these genetic variants could affect male-pattern baldness requires further research. It is hoped that this discovery could lead towards new treatments for hair loss, but any potential treatments remain a long way off.

Where did the story come from?

J. Brent Richards from the Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, and colleagues from various international academic institutions carried out this research. The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline, deCODE Genetics, the Wellcome Trust, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, the Chronic Disease Research Foundation, and the Sixth Framework Program of the EU. The study was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Nature Genetics.

What kind of scientific study was this?

This was a case-control, genome-wide association study into male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia).

The first part of the study involved Swiss men who were randomly selected from an area of Switzerland between 2003 and 2006. The researchers selected 578 men with early onset alopecia and 547 control men without alopecia, and took DNA samples from them. The researchers used the DNA to look at single changes in the nucleotide sequence (the building blocks of DNA), known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs – the different variants that can occur are known as alleles). The researchers looked at those SNPs that occurred significantly more often in the men with early onset alopecia compared to those without it. This screening included looking at SNPs in the region of the androgen receptor (AR) gene, which is located on the X chromosome (i.e. passed down to men from their mothers) and is known to be associated with male-pattern baldness.

The researchers then attempted to replicate the findings from the Swiss men in different populations. These included a UK population of twins (453 men; 176 of whom were affected by male-pattern baldness), 1,308 women (95 affected), 463 Dutch men (who all had prostate cancer – 147 of them with alopecia), 734 Icelandic men (536 affected), and 878 Icelandic women (397 affected). This gave a total study population size of 4,961.

What were the results of the study?

The researchers confirmed the association between male-pattern baldness and the AR gene (inherited from the mother), with one variant (rs6625163) in this region increasing the risk of baldness by 3.3 times.

They also located a new susceptibility position on chromosome 20 (SNPs rs1160312 and rs913063), and these variants increased the risk of alopecia 1.8 times in the Swiss population. These SNPs are located between the PAX1 and FOXA2 genes.

The association of these SNPs on chromosome 20 was confirmed by examining the other populations. Across all the groups, the overall odds risk for male-pattern baldness with the main SNP on chromosome 20 was 1.6 (i.e. 60% increased risk). Of the Swiss men, 14% had at least one of the risk alleles on chromosome 20 and the risk allele on the AR gene; this combination increased their risk of baldness seven times.

What interpretations did the researchers draw from these results?

 The researchers concluded that they have found a new association between a genetic variant on chromosome 20 and male-pattern baldness. They suggest that “Given the feasibility of gene therapy in human follicles, our results may point to an intriguing new potential target for the treatment of hair loss”.

What does the NHS Knowledge Service make of this study?

This study has confirmed the association of the AR gene and male-pattern baldness. It also identified a variation within chromosome 20 that seems to be associated. The replication of these findings in the other European populations adds strength to the findings (although it should be noted that the individual groups differed in the definitions of alopecia used and the characteristics of the study participants).

Although these variants were found to be associated with male-pattern baldness, this does not necessarily mean that they themselves are causing the condition. This is borne out by the fact that the genetic variants on chromosome 20 found to be associated with male baldness were in a DNA region lying between two genes (the segments of DNA that code for proteins). This makes it less likely that they are having a biological effect. Although it is possible that these SNPs could have some influence on how the genes around them act, it is more likely that they simply lie near to variations within a gene that is having the effect on male-pattern baldness.

Further investigation will be needed to identify the gene that is having this effect. Once this is identified, it is hoped that the affected gene on chromosome 20 could then be a target for gene therapy. Whether or not this is possible requires much further research, and it is premature to claim that there could be a cure for male-pattern baldness.

Links to the headlines

Gene scan to predict hair loss. BBC News, October 15 2008

Genetic test can forecast bald facts about each man’s future. The Times, October 15 2008

Scientists uncover new gene link to male pattern baldness. The Guardian, October 15 2008

Pair of genes that may help to cure baldness. Daily Express, October 15 2008

Links to the science

Brent Richards JB, Yuan X, Geller F, et al. Male-pattern baldness susceptibility locus at 20p11. Nature Genetics 2008; Published online: 12 October 2008

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Gel saves cancer patients' hair

Daily Mail, Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A new gel has been developed to prevent hair loss – and damage to the scalp – resulting from radiotherapy treatment for cancer.

Current products marketed to prevent hair loss include ice-caps or packs.  These, however, are not always effective.

The gel, currently being tested by Mitos Pharmaceuticals, is based on a mixture of compounds, including antioxidants thought to help protect the healthy hair follicles from being destroyed by the treatment.

The gel is also being studied as a topical agent to prevent radiation damage to other areas of skin.

An intravenous form could help to protect the salivary glands during mouth radiation for head and neck cancer, says Dr James Metz of the University of Pennsylvania where clinical trials are taking place.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Thomas Whitfield: The Oxford student who plans to make baldness a thing of the past

An Oxford PhD is developing a new technology that he believes will offer effective hair loss prevention to the masses.

Thomas Whitfield is hoping his business will give him plenty to smile about

There comes a moment in most men’s lives when they have to admit that they are losing their hair. The realisation is painful enough; doing something about it is even worse.

The slippery descent into lotions and pills, toupés and skin grafts fills most with horror. But where there’s vanity there’s money to be made. Hair loss can also, for some, equal a loss of career prospects and of confidence. Suddenly a solution turns from vanity product into an essential and valuable treatment.

So keep an eye on Thomas Whitfield. The 27-year-old Oxford biochemistry PhD is working on a venture called TRX2 (derived from the Greek word for hair, Trichos. “The two for second – your second generation of hair,” he tells me). It promises to make “hair loss a thing of the past”.

Still in stealth mode as the intellectual property is in the process of being protected, Whitfield plans to have his “product and service” on the market within 12 months. His only guidance is that it is not based on “gene therapy” – an area being explored by several other British start-ups.

The Kilcady-born entrepreneur, who grew up in Germany – his mother is German – said: “Current treatments don’t work properly or they are inconvenient or they are simply very, very expensive. We have come up with a solution that’s quite easy and much cheaper.”

To add to his credibility, he has already founded a successful internet venture called Miomi.com , which plots user-generated personal histories.

Yesterday he flew to the US, where he will spend time at the cutting edge InCube Labs, a medical devices incubator in Silicon Valley. Finally, he still has a full head of light brown hair – it helps him to remain “objective”.

UNTIL THEN:

Why not call 0207 976 6868 and speak to one of our Westminster Trichologist who will be happy to help and advise you.

Your initial consultation and assessment are free.

This will confirm what is the very best option for you.

So why not take advantage of our expertise and get the facts so that you can make an informed decision on what is best for the future of your hair today.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Lloydspharmacy discovers it is hair today, gone tomorrow according to UK men

New research released by Lloydspharmacy indicates that 70% of men believe that ’Male pattern baldness’ cannot be prevented.

Male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss among men, and can start any time from when a man is in his twenties. The condition affects about 30% of men in their thirties, and is hereditary.

The survey also revealed that men feel that hair loss treatments are a waste of time, 75% of them do not believe treatments can halt or reverse hair loss while 87% of the men surveyed were not aware that there is a scientifically proven remedy for the condition.

However current evidence shows that in actual fact there is an effective treatment which can stimulate renewed hair growth in two thirds of sufferers so long as treatment begins at the right time.

The treatment, called Propecia, has just been made available online for the first time via Lloydspharmacy’s online doctor service.

The treatment is available for £60 for one month’s supply, and it is estimated that the treatment could show results in as little as four months if used correctly.

To obtain the product, patients will have to undergo an online consultation with a GP to give details of their medical history and determine their suitability for the treatment. If they are suitable, they will be able to order the medicine online through Lloydspharmacy in one, three, or six month courses.

Chris Frost, Head of Medicines at Lloydspharmacy, said; “It’s surprising to see that so many men don’t believe there is an effective treatment for hair loss. Male pattern baldness really does not have to be inevitable.

“We launched the Propecia service so that more men can get access to hair loss treatments via a secure and reliable online website. Our GPs are on hand to give advice and make sure the patient’s prescriptions are right for them”.

You Gov Survey, Sample 936 males, fieldwork done 2nd – 4th December

Why not call 0207 976 6868 and speak to one of our Westminster Trichologist who will be happy to help and advise you.

Your initial consultation and assessment are free.

This will confirm what is the very best option for you.

So why not take advantage of our expertise and get the facts so that you can make an informed decision on what is best for the future of your hair today.

Take control of your hair loss today so that it does not control your life.

However, not all cases are treatable. But with early diagnosis and treatment you will give yourself and us the best possible chance to help you.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help