Evaluation of Anthralin in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Anthralin cream 0.5% to 1.0% was used to treat 68 patients with severe alopecia areata. Therapy was relatively well tolerated, although all patients experienced pruritus and local erythema and scaling. Cosmetic response was seen in 17 (25%) of the patients, and was maintained during therapy in 12 (71%) of the 17 cosmetic responders. For the patients treated with 0.5% anthralin, the mean time to response (44 of 66 patients) was 11 weeks; the mean time to cosmetic response (13 of 66 patients) was 23 weeks. Duration of the current episode of hair loss did not correlate with cosmetic response. Compared with other currently available topical treatments, anthralin appears to be a reasonable therapeutic option for severe alopecia areata.

Bilateral Half‐Head Comparison of 1% Anthralin Ointment in Children with Alopecia Areata

“…For maximum response, overnight application of 0.5% to 1% ointment is recommended. In other studies, anthralin 0.5% to 1% ointment was used and the rate of cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth ranged from 25% to 75% . Anthralin has not been evaluated specifically in children, and the dose used seems to affect its efficacy in adults.…”

Alopecia areata investigational assessment guidelines–Part II

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] For example, the term ''cosmetically acceptable'' has been a commonly utilized term that unduly weighs improvement in the top relative to the sides of the scalp since growth here can camouflage remaining hair loss on the sides of the scalp. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] These guidelines serve to offer several different means of assessing hair loss and growth in alopecia areata: not all are meant to be used in any individual trial. Recognizing that there are two main changes in the hair that occur in alopecia areata ie a decrease in the extent of scalp hair coverage and a decrease in terminal hair density in remaining areas of hair growth, both these characteristics of the hair loss should be part of any primary endpoint for alopecia areata.…”

Efficacy and safety of diphenylcyclopropenone alone or in combination with anthralin in the treatment of chronic extensive alopecia areata: A retrospective case series

“…Other investigators reported a regrowth rate of 50%; cosmetic response, however, was observed in only 25% of the patients. 13 The activity of anthralin was found to be similar to that of azelaic acid, 14 but lower than topical corticosteroids. 15,16 Combination therapy with anthralin and 5% minoxidil shows a synergistic effect in treatment-resistant AA.…”