TLDR Topical immunotherapy, especially with DPCP, is effective for treating severe alopecia areata.
Alopecia Areata (AA) is a common non-scarring hair loss condition, and topical immunotherapy has been the most documented treatment for severe and refractory cases. The contact allergens used include Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE), and diphencyprone (DPCP). DNCB was found to be mutagenic and has been largely replaced by DPCP and SADBE, which are non-mutagenic and have similar efficacy and relapse rates. SADBE is more expensive due to the need for special solvents and additives. DPCP showed a response rate of 60% in severe AA, 17% in alopecia totalis or universalis, and 88-100% in patchy AA.
37 citations
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September 2009 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Diphencyprone (DPC) is an effective and safe long-term treatment for alopecia areata, especially with maintenance therapy.
36 citations
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May 2005 in “BMC dermatology” DPCP is effective for treating severe alopecia areata, but relapse is common.
28 citations
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January 2005 in “PubMed” Topical immunomodulators are effective and safe for treating immune-related skin conditions.
12 citations
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November 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Topical diphencyprone helped regrow hair in mice and rats with a condition similar to human hair loss.
36 citations
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October 2002 in “The Journal of Dermatology” Combining SADBE with other treatments can help hair regrowth in alopecia areata patients.
60 citations
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September 2001 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Topical contact sensitizers can treat certain skin conditions by changing the immune response.
132 citations
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November 1998 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Topical sensitizers have mixed success in treating alopecia areata.
