United States: Researchers have created a unique treatment for alopecia areata, an autoimmune illness, that promotes hair growth and this skin patch uses a variety of small needles to deliver immune-system controls.
Targeting T-Cell Attack
The body’s own T-cells incorrectly target hair follicles in alopecia. The experimental therapeutic approach applies a patch to balding areas to directly supply specialized cells known as T-cell regulators, or Tregs for short. The goal is to stop hair loss and deter the unwelcome immune system attack.
The immunosuppressants that are now used to treat alopecia target Tregs as well as T-cells.
Localized Biologic Delivery
“Our patches allow for the local delivery of biologics, which stimulate regulatory T-cells in the skin rather than suppressing the immune system,” co-corresponding author Natalie Artzi, a researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said. “This restores immune balance and resolves the T-cell attack on hair follicles, offering a potential long-term solution without compromising the immune system’s ability to defend against infections and malignancies.”
Limitations of Current Therapies
Tregs are insufficient to shield hair follicles in autoimmune diseases such as alopecia. The fundamental cause of hair loss is not addressed by current medications, which further raise the likelihood that hair loss will recur after treatment ends because they suppress the immune system response. Additionally, they increase the patient’s risk of infection and cancer.
The novel method involves the use of a microneedle patch to administer medication via the skin without activating pain receptors that are found deeper within it.
Research Insights
Co-corresponding author Dr. Jamil Azzi, an immunologist at Brigham and Women’s, stated in a hospital news release that “our patches improve the local delivery of biologics to the deeper layers of diseased skin and reprogram the immune system to generate tolerance at the site of antigen encounter, while topical therapy often fails to penetrate the skin’s outer layer.”
The microneedle patch is not yet prepared for clinical usage; it is still undergoing testing and refinement. Scholars, who have published a paper on the patch in the journal Advance Materials, are investigating potential applications of the patch for the treatment of other autoimmune skin conditions like vitiligo and psoriasis.
“This targeted approach holds great potential for improving treatment outcomes and reducing the burden of autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases on patients’ lives,” Artzi stated.