Progress in the Application of Exosomes in Androgenetic Alopecia: Focusing on Molecular Mechanisms

Exosome therapy presents a promising new approach for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) by modulating dysregulated signaling pathways in hair follicles, such as Wnt/β-catenin, Shh, TGF-β/Smad, PI3K/AKT, and MAPK. Current FDA-approved treatments, minoxidil and finasteride, often have unsatisfactory outcomes and side effects, highlighting the need for safer alternatives. Exosomes, as nano-sized extracellular vesicles, facilitate intercellular communication and could potentially address the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of AGA. However, more well-designed studies are necessary to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of exosome-based therapies, and challenges in their production, application, and regulation must be addressed for future clinical use.