We have been closely following the developments of the Japanese cosmetics giant, Shiseido. This article delves into the recent progress made by Shiseido in the realm of hair loss treatments, particularly focusing on their research involving autologous dermal sheath cup cells (DSCs) and the challenges they’ve faced along the way.
SHISEIDO’S HAIR GROWTH TREATMENT
Shiseido’s pursuit of a hair loss cure based on the injection of cultured autologous dermal sheath cup cells (DSCs) has garnered attention for its potential efficacy and safety. Despite having no issues with fundraising, the company has encountered challenges in their partnership with Replicel, a Canadian biotech company.
SHISEIDO PHASE III STUDY RESULTS PUBLISHED
In December 2023, Shiseido unveiled the results of its “Phase III equivalent” study, published in “The Journal Of Dermatology.” Interestingly, the paper’s title did not mention Shiseido, which may have contributed to the study going unnoticed by the public, including Reddit users.
THE STUDY’S DETAILS
The study involved 36 volunteers, a relatively small sample size for a Phase 3 trial. These participants, both male and female with pattern hair loss, received injections of DSCs harvested from non-affected occipital hair follicles at quarterly intervals.
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
Despite the limited sample size, the results were somewhat promising. According to the global photographic assessment, 30% of participants showed improvement. The phototricogram data analysis revealed increases in various hair metrics, such as cumulative hair diameter, hair cross-sectional area, and mean hair diameter. It is unclear if the study demonstrated any entirely new hair growth, but participants did experience stronger and denser existing hair after 12 months.
CONFUSING FIGURES
One perplexing aspect of the study was the statistic that 62.9% of participants noted some degree of improvement. However, this figure seems to be based on patient feedback rather than objective measurements, leading to some ambiguity about the results.
FUTURE EXPECTATIONS
While these initial findings show promise, they also leave room for further research. The hope is that Shiseido will continue its investigation in more extensive Phase 3 clinical trials, addressing the limitations of the small sample size.
CONCLUSION
Shiseido’s research on autologous dermal sheath cup cells for hair growth is advancing, and the Phase III study results indicate some positive outcomes. However, the study’s limitations and the company’s ongoing legal issues with Replicel may affect the transparency of future developments in this area. Hair loss sufferers eagerly await more comprehensive and transparent research in the quest for effective solutions.
View the results of the phase III trial here.