Clinical trial NCT04842383: Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment Using Varin and Cannabidiol Rich Topical Hemp Oil: A Case Series
Official title: Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment Using Varin and Cannabidiol-rich Topical Hemp Oil - A Case Series
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Phase: EARLY_PHASE1
Conditions: Androgenetic Alopecia
Lead sponsor: Medical Life Care Planners, LLC
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2021-04-13
Enrollment: 40
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: 40 subjects will be randomly assigned into two treatment groups, 500mg of cannabinoids per ounce and 1000mg of cannabinoids per ounce. The change in hair follicle numbers will be compared statistically between the two groups.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This is a case series of adult, male and female subjects with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). A topical hemp oil that is rich in varins (THCV and CBDV) and cannabidiol (CBD) is being used daily for six months to stimulate hair regrowth using Endocannabinoid System (ECS) receptors that are found on hair follicles.

Detailed description: The study is a case series of adults (males and females) presenting to a "Hair and Scalp" center in Clearwater, Florida. Subjects diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia (AGA - male pattern baldness) and who were not currently using minoxidil or finasteride, were offered the opportunity to receive a topical hemp-oil extract that is high in varins (tetrahydrocannabivarin, (THCV) cannabidivarin (CBDV)) as well as cannabidiol (CBD). The topical also contains 3% peppermint oil. The subjects were given the topical free of charge. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two doses, 500mg of hemp oil per dispenser or 1000mg per dispenser. Each dispenser lasted approximately one month, so they used either 1.7mg or 3.4 mg of hemp extract per day.

Forty subjects withAGA with Norwood-Hamilton Classification score of 3V or higher will be selected randomly. The predefined endpoints were hair counts obtained in a defined, representative area of scalp hair loss using a small tattoo to confirm the location of measuring hair loss. The primary investigator will make a clinical assessment of hair growth.

The subjects gave their written informed consent for this six-month trial. The study adhered to the Helsinki guidelines and was institutionally approved. None of the subjects were currently using minoxidil or finasteride. No other hair loss treatments were used during the six months of the research.

The subjects were randomly assigned to using a dropper bottle or spray can with a nozzle to apply the extract. Subjects are advised to apply a thin layer once each morning to the areas of baldness. The hemp oil extract with peppermint was independently analyzed The hemp oil was infused into a lanolin base lotion and natural Emu oil carrier. Each container (dropper bottle or spray can) contained one ounce of the extract. Each container is expected to last approximately one month. The subjects were advised that they could use blow dryers, conditioners, and other hair preparations. The hemp extract was replaced as needed throughout the six-month trial.

A hair count of the greatest area of alopecia was carried out before treatment was started and again after six months of treatment. To facilitate consistent hair count analysis, a small permanent black tattoo, approximately 1mm in diameter, was applied to each subject's head at the area of greatest alopecia. The nonvellus hairs within the 1 cm2 cutout were pulled through the opening with a surgical skin hook and a hair count was taken using a Bodelin ProScope with 50x magnification.

Statistical analysis was done comparing the number of nonvellus hairs in the 1cm2 cutout before and after six months of treatment.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

Age 18 or older

Physician-diagnosed androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with Norwood-Hamilton Classification score of 3V or higher.

Not currently using minoxidil or finasteride.

Agree to complete six months of the study.

Agreed to not use other hair loss treatments, including minoxidil and/or finasteride during the six months of the study.

Agrees to and signs Informed Consent Form.

Exclusion Criteria:

Inability to meet the 'Inclusion Criteria' above.

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Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in nonvellus hair count in 1cm2 area of the bald scalp
timeFrame: six months
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Clearwater
country: United States
facility: Hair and Scalp Clinic
state: Florida
Study officials:
affiliation: Medical Life Care Planners, LLC
name: Gregory L Smith, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Baswan SM, Klosner AE, Glynn K, Rajgopal A, Malik K, Yim S, Stern N. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020 Dec 8;13:927-942. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S286411. eCollection 2020.
citation: Telek A, Biro T, Bodo E, Toth BI, Borbiro I, Kunos G, Paus R. Inhibition of human hair follicle growth by endo- and exocannabinoids. FASEB J. 2007 Nov;21(13):3534-41. doi: 10.1096/fj.06-7689com. Epub 2007 Jun 12.
citation: Sugawara K, Zakany N, Tiede S, Purba T, Harries M, Tsuruta D, Biro T, Paus R. Human epithelial stem cell survival within their niche requires "tonic" cannabinoid receptor 1-signalling-Lessons from the hair follicle. Exp Dermatol. 2021 Apr;30(4):479-493. doi: 10.1111/exd.14294. Epub 2021 Feb 26.
citation: Smith GL, Satino J. Hair Regrowth with Cannabidiol (CBD)-rich Hemp Extract - A Case Series. Cannabis. 2021 Apr 22;4(1):53-59. doi: 10.26828/cannabis/2021.01.003. eCollection 2021.