Using low intensity ultrasound to prevent hair loss from chemotherapy
Official title: Pre-clinical testing of low intensity ultrasound as novel strategy to prevent paclitaxel-induced hair follicle damage in a humanized mouse model of chemotherapy-induced alopecia
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-10722518 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help prevent hair loss from the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel by using gentle ultrasound, and it's being tested in mice first before it can be tried in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | August 23, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $394,687 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA277418-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10722518 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are prescribed paclitaxel and are concerned about hair loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving paclitaxel or those who do not experience hair loss as a side effect of their treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to prevent hair loss caused by the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel. It aims to use low intensity ultrasound (LIUS) to protect hair follicles from damage during treatment. By applying LIUS, the researchers hope to neutralize the harmful effects of paclitaxel on hair cells, which can lead to permanent hair loss. The study is conducted in a humanized mouse model to assess the effectiveness of this technique before potential application in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help patients undergoing chemotherapy retain their hair, improving their quality of life and adherence to treatment.
How similar studies have gone: While scalp cooling has shown some success in reducing hair loss, the use of low intensity ultrasound for this purpose is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paus, Ralf — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Paus, Ralf
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.