What are stem cells and why is there so much discussion about them these days?
Stem cells are a special type of cell that can transform into many cell types in the body and also have a great capacity to multiply, generating new cells identical to themselves. For this reason, in regenerative medicine, they are used to stimulate the repair and growth of different tissues.
In trichology, stem cells can stimulate the regeneration of hair follicles when they are inactive or damaged.
Types of stem cell treatments: autologous and synthetic
- Autologous stem cells: These are obtained from the patient’s own body, usually from adipose tissue (fat).
This type of treatment requires a small liposuction to extract the fat, which is then processed to obtain the stem cells and applied to the scalp through microinjections.
Although the initial procedure is more complex and the cost may be higher, it offers significant benefits: the results are usually longer-lasting, the maintenance frequency is lower, and the risk of rejection is extremely low, as the biological material is from the patient himself. - Synthetic stem cells: These do not come from the body itself, but are developed in a laboratory for therapeutic purposes. Their application is simpler and faster, similar to other mesotherapy treatments, which also reduces their cost. However, their results may require more frequent maintenance sessions compared to autologous stem cells.
Recent Clinical Advances and Trials in Spain and around the World
As an innovative therapy, the use of stem cells in the treatment of alopecia has been the subject of numerous international scientific studies.
For example, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States conducted a systematic review of 53 clinical trials conducted between 2013 and 2023 in different countries. This review analyzed the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapies in cases of androgenetic alopecia.
The results showed that both autologous and synthetic stem cells were safe and effective in improving hair regeneration and increasing hair density. Although the effects may be temporary in some patients, the researchers conclude that these regenerative therapies could become a useful complement to conventional treatments, such as hair transplants.
Meanwhile, in Spain, in a publication in the scientific journal Stem Cell Research and Therapy, dermatologists at the San Carlos Hospital in Madrid are conducting research in collaboration with the Biomedical Research Foundation of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital on the use of mesenchymal stem cells, in which they identify it as the most innovative therapy for androgenetic alopecia.
What can we currently expect from stem cell therapies?
It has been proven that stem cell therapies can increase hair density, improve the thickness of miniaturized hair, and reactivate follicles in the resting phase.
However, it is important to understand their limitations: these therapies do not generate new follicles in completely bald areas, so they are most effective in cases of moderate or early-stage alopecia.
Furthermore, to maintain long-term results, maintenance treatment is generally required. This may include new stem cell applications or the use of more traditional therapies such as minoxidil, finasteride, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Currently, multiple studies are underway, especially focused on the use of mesenchymal stem cells and stem cell-derived exosomes. New technologies are also being developed that could further expand the possibilities of this type of treatment. Their combination with drug therapies has, to date, shown the best results in terms of efficacy.
Conclusions
Stem cell therapies are not a definitive cure, but they represent one of the most promising lines of non-surgical treatment. Results are better in early stages, and although they do not replace transplantation in advanced cases, they can delay or reduce its need.
Dr. Luz Grasa Varrenti
References:
New Treatments for Hair Loss – F. Camacho, Department of Dermatology, Trichology Unit, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain – Virgen Macarena Hospital, Seville, Spain
Human Stem Cell Use in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review – Katarzyna Krefft-Trzciniecka, Zuzanna Piętowska, Danuta Nowicka, Jacek C. Szepietowski – Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
Advances in Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Hair Loss – Andjela Egger, Marjana Tomic-Canic, Antonella Tosti, Phillip Frost, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Autologous Stem Cell-derived Therapies for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Control Trials on Efficacy, Safety, and Outcomes – Konstantinos Gasteratos, Konstantinos Kouzounis, Jeremy Goverman, Formerly of Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y., School of Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies, Summer M. Redstone Burn Center, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
