A potential new cure could treat baldness ‘in days’

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A drug used to treat brittle bones could help to treat baldness within days, new research suggests. If applied as a shampoo, scientists found the treatment promotes hair growth. It blocks a naturally-occurring protein that prevents growth and induces male baldness. Experts are "optimistic" the drug, known as WAY-316606, could one day help millions of men. [caption id="attachment_177382" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Game changer (Credit: Danny Lawson)[/caption] Originally developed for osteoporosis, researchers found that in just two days the treatment increased growth from human hair follicles and now hope to carry out clinical trials. A study on hair follicles donated by more than 40 balding men found their tissue all started sprouting hair within days of being treated with the drug. It was published in the journal Public Library of Science Biology. Dr Nathan Hawkshaw, lead researcher from Manchester University, said: "The fact this new agent, which had never even been considered in a hair loss context, promotes human hair growth is exciting because of its translational potential: it could one day make a real difference to people who suffer from hair loss. "I’m very optimistic it could work. In lab tests, the drug started promoting growth in hair follicles in just two days – that’s pretty quick. "We are looking at using it as a topical treatment, a gel or shampoo that could reach the follicle." Dr Hawkshaw said there are no known side-effects of the bone drug. There are only two drugs available to treat male-pattern baldness, minoxidil and finasteride, but both have side effects and are not always effective. Alternatively, you could get a hair transplant. Dr Raghu Reddy, leading Hair Loss Specialist and Transplant Surgeon at The Private Clinic of Harley Street, said: "There are hundreds of causes of hair loss and every year we find another cause and try to address that issue. We are a while away from finding all the causes of hair loss and developing an effective medication that addresses all the causes. "However, this finding is certainly a positive step towards combating hair loss. What we have to remember at this stage is that the findings were in a lab, so the research and testing is still in the early stages. The next step with WAY-316606 is that it has to be rolled out to a clinical setting, then onto trials so we can observe any side effects.   "The difference between WAY-316606 and other drugs on the market whose side effects include hair growth, is that WAY-316606 is prescribed to enhance someone’s life by strengthening their bones; the hair growth is a welcome side effect. We know, for example, that some immunosuppression drugs increase hair growth but we don’t want to suppress someone’s immune system for the sake of hair. "Logistically then, WAY-316606 might be a wonderful addition on top of what we have today. "There may be other side-effects of this drug, we just don’t know yet. For example, a drug that strengthens bones could increase the calcium content in the body which might lead to kidney stones. The fact is that there will be some side- effects but we would like to think that the side-effects of this medication will be better than what is already out there."