Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University have made a significant breakthrough in preventing chemotherapy-induced hair loss by demonstrating that combining scalp cooling with antioxidants can substantially protect hair follicles from damage caused by cancer treatments. The findings, published in Frontiers of Pharmacology, could transform scalp cooling into a more reliable and universally effective method for cancer patients.
The study, led by Dr. Nik Georgopoulos from the university's Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre in partnership with Paxman, used human keratinocytes and hair follicle cultures to test the protective effects of cooling and antioxidants on chemotherapy-treated cells.
Key Research Findings
The research revealed several critical insights about optimal scalp cooling protocols. Cooling human hair follicles to 18°C provides optimal protection against chemotherapy-induced damage, while sub-optimal cooling at 26°C offers inadequate protection, potentially explaining why scalp cooling fails for some patients.
Most significantly, when antioxidants such as N-Acetylcysteine or Resveratrol were combined with even sub-optimal cooling temperatures, the protection became comparable to optimal cooling alone. This combination effectively reduces levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), harmful molecules produced during chemotherapy that contribute to hair follicle damage.
"Our findings suggest that the combination of cooling and antioxidants could be a game-changer in preventing chemotherapy-induced hair loss and could make a real difference to the lives of cancer patients worldwide," said Dr. Georgopoulos, Associate Professor in Cell Biology and Transforming Lives Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University.
Clinical Impact and Patient Burden
Approximately 65% of people undergoing chemotherapy experience hair loss, making it one of the most feared side effects of cancer treatment. Among female cancer patients, 47% consider hair loss the most traumatic aspect of their treatment, highlighting the significant psychological impact beyond the physical effects.
The research addresses a critical unmet need in supportive cancer care. Patient testimonials included in the study illustrate the current variability in scalp cooling effectiveness. One patient, Robyn, described losing hair as "one of the most devastating parts of going through treatment," while another patient, Carmen, found scalp cooling allowed her to "feel normal and enjoy normal things all summer."
Mechanism of Action
Through nearly 15 years of research, Dr. Georgopoulos' team has elucidated multiple protective mechanisms triggered by scalp cooling. The treatment reduces scalp temperature before, during, and after chemotherapy, causing blood vessel narrowing that reduces blood flow to as little as 20%, meaning less chemotherapy drug reaches the hair follicles.
Cooling also directly prevents chemotherapy drugs from entering cells and causes hair cells to become dormant and stop dividing, allowing them to escape targeting by chemotherapy treatments that primarily affect rapidly dividing cells. The new research adds that cooling reduces cellular metabolism and toxic ROS production, creating a comprehensive protective effect.
Industry Partnership and Future Development
The research was funded and conducted in partnership with Paxman Scalp Cooling, a company that has been pioneering scalp cooling technology for over 25 years. Rich Paxman OBE, CEO of Paxman Scalp Cooling, emphasized the company's vision to make chemotherapy side effect management technology available to everyone while continually improving efficacy.
"Our partnership with Sheffield Hallam University has been central to achieving this vision," Paxman stated. "We are already working together on the next steps to translate this work into real-world solutions."
The partnership between Paxman and Sheffield Hallam University's Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre was recently recognized at the Medilink North of England Healthcare Business Awards, winning the Partnership with Academia Award.
This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in supportive cancer care, potentially offering a more effective and accessible solution to address one of chemotherapy's most distressing side effects while improving quality of life for cancer patients worldwide.
