Background: Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles with potential roles in modulating the hair growth cycle and are an emerging therapy for patients with alopecia. In recent years, researchers have made significant progress in deciphering the network of cellular interactions and signaling pathways mediated by the transfer of exosomes. This has opened the door to a wide range of potential therapeutic applications with an increasing focus on its application in precision medicine.
Aim: To evaluate current published evidence, both preclinical and clinical, on the use of exosomes for hair restoration.
Methods: In January 2023, a systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Records were identified, screened, and assessed for eligibility as per the PRISMA guideline.
Results: We identified 16 studies (15 preclinical and 1 clinical) showing varying degrees of efficacy using exosomes derived from sources including adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and dermal papilla cells (DPCs). Applications of exosomes isolated from ADSCs (ADSC-Exo) and DPCs have shown early promising results in preclinical studies corroborated by results obtained from different model systems. Topical ADSC-Exo has been tried successfully in 39 androgenetic alopecia patients demonstrating significant increases in hair density and thickness. No significant adverse reactions associated with exosome treatment have been reported thus far.
Conclusions: Although current clinical evidence supporting the use of exosome treatment is limited, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting its therapeutic potential. Further studies are warranted to define its mechanism of action, optimize its delivery and efficacy, and to address important safety concerns.
Keywords: alopecia; exosomes; hair; regenerative medicine.
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.