Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a temperature-responsive gel designed to help chemotherapy patients retain their hair during treatment. The gel, which functions similarly to shampoo in application, was tested in preclinical studies and significantly reduced hair loss by restricting blood flow to the scalp, thereby limiting exposure of hair follicles to chemotherapy drugs. The findings were published this week in Biomaterials Advances, detailing how the gel delivers vasoconstrictor agents, including lidocaine and adrenalone, directly to the scalp.
These compounds temporarily narrow blood vessels in the skin, reducing the amount of circulating chemotherapy agents that reach the hair follicles. In trials conducted using animal models, researchers applied the gel to rabbit skin and observed a 39 percent decrease in blood vessel diameter when using the lidocaine formulation. The adrenalone version produced a 21 percent reduction. These levels of vasoconstriction are considered sufficient to reduce damage to hair follicles caused by chemotherapeutic agents.
Hair loss is one of the most common and distressing side effects of chemotherapy. The only treatment currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for reducing chemotherapy-induced hair loss is the use of scalp cooling caps. These devices chill the scalp to narrow blood vessels and limit drug absorption. However, cooling caps are costly, time-intensive, and may cause discomfort or side effects in some patients, limiting their widespread adoption.
The Michigan State University team designed the gel to overcome the limitations of cooling caps by providing a more accessible and comfortable alternative. The gel is formulated to thicken at body temperature, allowing it to stay in place on the scalp during treatment. It becomes thinner at cooler temperatures, enabling it to be easily washed away with water. The gel is composed of hydrogel materials known for their ability to retain water and release drugs over extended periods.
Vasoconstrictors used to reduce drug flow to hair follicles
Researchers noted that both lidocaine and adrenalone are already approved for other medical uses, and the gel’s components are biocompatible. These characteristics make the formulation suitable for further safety testing and potential clinical trials. In safety assessments, the gel showed minimal systemic absorption. Blood samples collected after topical application in animal models indicated negligible presence of adrenalone and only trace amounts of lidocaine, both well below established toxicity thresholds.
Associate Professor Bryan Smith from Michigan State University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering led the development of the gel. The project originated as part of an initiative to reduce the physical and psychological burdens of cancer treatment. Smith noted that hair loss remains an unresolved challenge for many patients undergoing chemotherapy, and the gel was created to address this specific clinical need. The research team is currently preparing for the next phase of development, which involves securing funding to advance toward human testing.
Next phase includes funding and clinical trial pathway
While no timeline has been confirmed, the researchers have indicated that the use of well-known pharmaceutical ingredients and materials may support a more efficient regulatory pathway. The study marks a potential shift in supportive oncology care by offering a localized, non-invasive option that could complement existing chemotherapy protocols. The researchers emphasized that the gel does not interfere with the efficacy of chemotherapy but instead aims to reduce one of its most visible and psychologically difficult side effects.
The product remains in the investigational phase and has not yet been approved for clinical use. Further studies will be required to determine its effectiveness and safety in human patients before it can be considered for regulatory review. Researchers plan to conduct additional preclinical evaluations and submit the data to regulatory agencies as part of the approval process. If successful, the gel could offer a new tool in managing chemotherapy-related side effects without compromising treatment efficacy. – By Content Syndication Services.