Claes Marithé, Robijns Jolien, Lambrichts Laura, Van Duffel Sofie, Bulens Philippe, Mebis Jeroen
Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium.
Lasers Med Sci. 2025 Jul 24;40(1):325. doi: 10.1007/s10103-025-04577-7.
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a prominent side effect of chemotherapy, negatively impacting the patient's body image and self-confidence. Scalp cooling (SC) has emerged as a preventive option for CIA, but the success rate and adherence vary. Research shows that photobiomodulation (PBM) can improve hair growth by stimulating cell proliferation and repair processes. This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PBM combined with SC in preventing CIA.
A randomized, controlled trial with 29 breast cancer patients undergoing taxane-based chemotherapy was performed at the Jessa Hospital (Belgium). Patients were randomized into the control (n = 16) or the intervention group (n = 13). Blinded researchers evaluated scalp coverage and hair thickness, while questionnaires were administered to assess scalp coverage, satisfaction, and health-related quality of life (HRQL). The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05177289, 4th of January 2022).
The scalp coverage and hair thickness did not differ significantly between the two groups. Patients in the PBM group scored higher on global health (P = 0.043), physical functioning (P = 0.039), role functioning (P = 0.049), and social functioning (P = 0.038). Patients receiving a paclitaxel-based chemotherapy showed less hair loss compared to patients undergoing a docetaxel-based regimen (Ps < 0.001). No differences in SC adherence could be observed between the two groups.
The addition of PBM to SC did not increase its efficacy in preventing hair loss during chemotherapy. Patients in the PBM group did score their HRQL higher compared to the control group. Further research is required to establish the use of PBM in CIA prevention and to corroborate these findings.
化疗引起的脱发（CIA）是化疗的一个突出副作用，对患者的身体形象和自信心产生负面影响。头皮冷却（SC）已成为预防CIA的一种选择，但成功率和依从性各不相同。研究表明，光生物调节（PBM）可以通过刺激细胞增殖和修复过程来促进头发生长。本试验旨在评估PBM联合SC预防CIA的有效性。
在比利时杰萨医院对29例接受紫杉烷类化疗的乳腺癌患者进行了一项随机对照试验。患者被随机分为对照组（n = 16）或干预组（n = 13）。研究人员在不知情的情况下评估头皮覆盖率和头发厚度，同时通过问卷调查来评估头皮覆盖率、满意度和健康相关生活质量（HRQL）。该试验已在clinicaltrials.gov上注册（NCT05177289，2022年1月4日）。
两组之间的头皮覆盖率和头发厚度没有显著差异。PBM组患者在总体健康（P = 0.043）、身体功能（P = 0.039）、角色功能（P = 0.049）和社会功能（P = 0.038）方面得分更高。与接受多西他赛方案的患者相比，接受紫杉醇化疗的患者脱发较少（P < 0.001）。两组之间在SC依从性方面没有观察到差异。
在SC基础上加用PBM并没有提高其预防化疗期间脱发的疗效。与对照组相比，PBM组患者的HRQL得分确实更高。需要进一步研究以确定PBM在预防CIA中的应用并证实这些发现。
