Publications

INTRODUCTION: Tocilizumab (TCZ), a recombinant humanized antihuman monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling, is often utilized in the management of autoimmune disease. Few reports have demonstrated hair growth changes in patients on TCZ.

CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we review the literature and report a 21-year-old woman with progressive alopecia areata (AA) presenting with AA improvement while on TCZ for concomitant posterior uveitis.

DISCUSSION: Our case demonstrates the potential ability of TCZ to disrupt IL-6 signaling involved in AA, leading to hair loss and regrowth.

Alopecia neoplastica (AN) is caused by neoplastic cells damaging hair follicles, resulting in patchy hair loss like cicatricial alopecia and alopecia areata. AN has predominantly described cutaneous metastasis to the scalp from primary visceral malignant tumors. Less frequently, AN results from a primary scalp neoplasm. Compared to "secondary AN," there is a paucity of literature on "primary AN." Herein, we present a comprehensive literature review of primary AN and introduce a unique case of amelanotic melanoma causing primary AN. Including our presented case, 11 cases of primary AN have been reported with causative scalp neoplasms including angiosarcoma, hemangioendothelioma, syringomatous carcinoma, ectopic extramammary Paget's disease, and primary desmoplastic melanoma. 27.3% (3 of 11) of cases were misdiagnosed and treated for a primary alopecia, and 36.4% (4 of 11) of lesions were present for multiple years or an unknown amount of time, likely due to difficulty in recognizing scalp lesion or misdiagnosis. All patients required surgical excision with 36.4% (4 of 11) requiring chemotherapy, radiation, or photodynamic therapy. Two patients with scalp angiosarcoma died from their aggressive disease. Due to the risks of malignant primary AN if allowed to progress, primary AN should be considered in patients presenting with scarring alopecia.

BACKGROUND: In gender minority patients, electrolysis and laser hair removal may be necessary to reduce facial and body hair in individuals seeking a more feminine appearance and/or modified gender expression. These procedures may also be required preoperatively for some gender-affirming surgeries.

AIMS: To identify (a) the frequency of unwanted facial and body hair, (b) the use of various hair removal methods, and (c) associated barriers to care in gender minority patients.

METHODS: An online-based patient survey was distributed via social media on Facebook® , YouTube® , and Instagram® in fall 2018. Respondents were at least 18 years old and self-identified as a gender minority.

RESULTS: In total, 991 responses were recorded with a completion rate of 77%. Considering excess hair, 84% of transwomen on feminizing hormone therapy (FHT: estrogen and anti-androgen therapy), 100% of transwomen not on FHT, and 100% of nonbinary individuals on FHT reported excess facial/body hair. Laser hair removal (18%) and electrolysis (17%) had similar rates of use in this cohort and were more commonly reported for nonsurgical gender-affirming purposes than preoperative preparation. Cost was the most frequently cited barrier to care.

CONCLUSION: As the majority of transwomen and nonbinary people on feminizing hormone therapy had persistent excess facial/body hair, routine use of gender-affirming hormones is not sufficient to fully eliminate unwanted hair. There remains a critical need to advocate for more comprehensive insurance coverage for laser hair removal and electrolysis in gender minority patients.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and acne vulgaris are two conditions commonly seen by dermatologists. Androgens and the androgen receptors play an essential role in the manifestation of both conditions, and some systemic therapies function by interfering in this pathway. The use of topical antiandrogen therapies has gained traction in recent years due to their potential efficacy in treating AGA and acne vulgaris, as well as their reduced adverse effects compared with systemic drugs. This review discusses the role of androgens in skin physiology and pathology and assesses the potential efficacy and safety of three topical antiandrogen therapies in the treatment of AGA and acne vulgaris. A literature review utilizing the PubMed, US Clinical Trials, and SCOPUS databases was conducted to search for randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, cohort studies, case reports, and other relevant published studies on the pathogenesis and treatment of each condition with topical finasteride, ketoconazole shampoo, and cortexolone 17α-propionate (C17P). The results demonstrated that topical formulations of finasteride, ketoconazole, and C17P are promising treatments for male pattern hair loss, especially topical finasteride in combination with topical minoxidil. Limited studies have shown C17P to have potential in treating acne vulgaris in both males and females. Minimal adverse effects have been reported in clinical trials for all topical therapies, although topical finasteride is still contraindicated in pregnancy. Recognizing the preliminary evidence, more peer-reviewed studies on topical antiandrogen treatments for AGA and acne vulgaris are necessary before definitive recommendations can be made regarding efficacy and safety. There is also a critical need to include more women in study populations for these treatments.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss in adults and may be particularly distressing for gender minority patients, given the close relation between hair and gender expression. Furthermore, use of gender affirming hormones such as testosterone in transmen and estrogen/antiandrogens in transwomen has a direct effect on hair growth distribution and density. Clinicians should thus be knowledgeable about the effects of sex hormones on the hair growth cycle to comfortably diagnose and treat AGA in gender minority patients.