An Open Label, Multi-center Clinical Trial of Topical 5% Minoxidil Solution for the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia (A Phase IV Study) / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Topical 5% minoxidil solution stimulates new hair growth and it helps stop the loss of hair on individuals with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). OBJECTIVE: We wanted to assess the efficacy and safety of topical 5% minoxidil solution for treating Korean men with AGA. METHODS: This was a 24-week, open label, clinical trial that was conducted at 14 university dermatologic centers nationwide throughout South Korea as a multicenter study of the Korean Hair Research Society. The eligible subjects for this study were 18- to 65 year-old men with androgenetic alopecia, as defined by the Norwood scale as type III vertex, IV and IVA. A total of 175 men (20~62 years old) with AGA applied topical 5% minoxidil solution twice daily. Efficacy was evaluated by 1) the total hair count per 1 cm2 and 2) the mean hair diameter and 3) the patient assessment and 4) the investigator assessment of the change in scalp coverage and the benefit of treatment. RESULTS: At week 24 as compared with baseline, there was a statistically significant increase in the total hair counts and the mean hair diameter (p<.0001). Topical 5% minoxidil solution helped improve the investigator and patient assessments. The topical 5% minoxidil solution was well tolerated over a 24-week period. CONCLUSION: We believe that topical 5% minoxidil solution is a safe and effective drug for Korean men with AGA.

Short-term, High Dose Methylprednisolone and Narrowband UVB Combination Therapy for 2 Patients with Vitiligo / 대한피부과학회지

Systemic corticosteroid arrests the progression of vitiligo and leads to repigmentation, but it may produce side effects. It has been reported that the maximum effect for corticosteroid can be achieved without major side effects when it is used at high doses over a short period of time. Recently, narrowband UVB has been used to treat vitiligo. However, there have been no reports on the effectiveness for a combined treatment with narrowband UVB and systemic corticosteroid. We encountered 2 cases of vitiligo patients who had rapid and effective repigmentation after combination therapy with high dose methylprednisolone and narrowband UVB. Intravenous high dose (25 mg/kg) of methylprednisolone for 3 days was followed by narrowband UVB once or twice weekly. After 2 months, rapid improvements were seen in both patients with >75% repigmentation. Combination treatment with high dose methylprednisolone therapy and narrowband UVB may be an effective therapeutic option for vitiligo.