METHODS FOR TREATING ALOPECIA AND ACHROMOTRICHIA

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for simultaneously treating alopecia and achromotrichia comprising topically administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula (II)

##STR00001##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, minoxidil and cyclosporine A.

Claims

1. A method of simultaneously treating alopecia and achromotrichia comprising topically administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula (II) ##STR00010## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, minoxidil and cyclosporine A.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the achromotrichia is due to aging.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises one or more excipients selected from the group consisting of urea, polyoxyl 40 stearate, a carbomer, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, mineral oil, ethanol, propylene glycol, polyglycol 300, citric acid, sodium phosphate dibasic, stearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, sodium hydroxide, petroleum jelly, xanthan gum, white petrolatum, sorbitol solution, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20, simethicone, sodium benzoate, glyceryl monostearate, polyethylene glycol monostearate, sorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene and water.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein minoxidil is at a concentration from about 1% to about 10% w/v, cyclosporine A is at a concentration from about 0.01% to about 1% w/v and the compound of formula (II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof is at a concentration from about 0.000001% to about 0.0001% w/v, wherein w/v denotes weight by volume.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises ethanol at a concentration from about 10% to about 50% w/v, propylene glycol at a concentration from about 10% to about 70% w/v and water at a concentration from about 10% to about 50% w/v.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises 40% w/v urea.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises polyoxyl 40 stearate, citric acid, polyglycol 300, sodium phosphate, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate and sodium benzoate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0046] FIG. 1. Punch biopsies of mouse dorsal skin treated topically with RT175.

[0047] FIG. 2. Scalp closure following craniotomy in rats treated topically with RT175.

[0048] FIG. 3. Skin lesions in pigs treated topically with RT175.

[0049] FIG. 4. 59-year-old male with androgenic alopecia treated topically with RT175 and RT175/minoxidil.

[0050] FIG. 5. 57-year-old male with androgenic alopecia treated topically with RT175/minoxidil/cyclosporine A.

[0051] FIG. 6. 62-year-old female with androgenic alopecia treated topically with RT175/minoxidil/cyclosporine A.

[0052] FIG. 7. 57-year-old male with androgenic alopecia and achromotrichia treated topically with RT175/minoxidil/cyclosporine A.

[0053] FIG. 8. 57-year-old male with chemotherapy-induced alopecia treated topically with RT175/minoxidil/cyclosporine A.

[0054] FIG. 9. 24-year-old male with inadequate facial hair growth treated with RT175/minoxidil/cyclosporine A.

[0055] FIG. 10. 45-year-old female with inadequate eyebrow growth treated with RT175/minoxidil/cyclosporine A.

[0056] FIG. 11. Skin regeneration and hair regrowth following shaving and rasping of mice dorsal skin and 10-day treatment with RT1061.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] Applicants unexpectedly discovered a composition for the treatment of alopecia which has reduced side effects and prolonged effects over available treatments.

[0058] As used herein, “minoxidil” refers to the compound of the formula,

##STR00006##

and any pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

[0059] As used herein, “cyclosporine A” refers to the compound of the formula,

##STR00007##

and any pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

[0060] As used herein, “RT175” refers to the compound of the formula,

##STR00008##

[0061] As used herein, “alopecia” refers to the loss of hair from the body, whether on the scalp, body, face or eyebrows, and due to a pathological condition.

[0062] As used herein the term “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to ingredients that are not biologically or otherwise undesirable in a topical application.

[0063] As used herein the term “effective amount” refers to the amount necessary to treat a patient in need thereof.

[0064] As used herein, “androgenic alopecia” refers to an autosomal disorder which begins in puberty in genetically disposed individuals. Androgenic alopecia is also known as hereditary baldness, male pattern baldness, and seborrheic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia may occur in males and females.

[0065] As used herein, “chemotherapy-induced alopecia” refers to hair loss that begins to occur from sometime after onset of chemotherapy to within one month of stopping of chemotherapy.

[0066] As used herein, “permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia” refers to chemotherapy-induced alopecia wherein hair has not begun to regrow within 1 year of stopping chemotherapy.

[0067] As used herein, “achromotrichia” refers to an absence or loss of pigment in the hair shaft. Achromotrichia may be due to aging, stress, diet or disease.

[0068] As used herein, “fractional laser therapy” or “fractional laser treatment” refers to application of a laser beam that is divided into thousands of zones and is capable of reacting with both the epidermis and dermis. This treatment is sometimes referred to as fractional laser photothermolysis. Fractional lasers may be based on, but are not limited to, erbium, carbon dioxide, diode, yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, yttrium scandium gallium garnet (YSGG) or combinations thereof. Commercial examples of fractional lasers sufficient for the present invention include, but are not limited to, Profractional (Sciton, Inc.), Halo (Sciton, Inc.), Emerge (Cynosure Palomar), Lux1540 (Cynosure Palomar), Lux2940 (Cynosure Palomar), Deep FX (Lumenis), Active FX (Lumenis), Fraxel Re:Pair® (Fraxel re:pair is a registered trademark of Reliant Technologies LLC; available through Solta Medical), Fraxel Re:Store® (Fraxel re:store is a registered trademark of Reliant Technologies LLC; available through Solta Medical), Clear+Brilliant (Solta Medical), Fraxel® Dual 1550/1027 (Fraxel® is a registered trademark of Reliant Technologies LLC; available through Solta Medical) and Pearl® Fractional (Pearl is a registered trademark of Cutera, Inc.).

[0069] As used herein, “treatment” or “treating” refers to preventing hair loss and growing, re-growing and regenerating hair. As used herein the term “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to ingredients that are not biologically or otherwise undesirable in a topical application.

[0070] As used herein the term “effective amount” refers to the amount necessary to treat a patient in need thereof.

[0071] As used herein “% w/v” and “percent w/v” refer to the percent weight of the total formulation.

[0072] As used herein the term “R.sup.1” refers to a substituent selected from the group consisting of COOH, a methoxy, a phenyl, a benzyl, a substituted phenyl and a substituted benzyl.

[0073] In general, the term “substituted” means that one or more hydrogens of the designated moiety are replaced with a suitable substituent.

[0074] As used herein the term “alkyl” refers to a branched or straight-chain alkyl consisting of a saturated hydrocarbon group of 1 to 24 carbon atoms (C.sub.1-C.sub.24) unless otherwise stated. The alkyl group can be cyclic or acyclic. As used herein, all numerical values relating to amounts, weights, and the like, that are defined as “about” each particular value is plus or minus 10%. For example, the phrase “about 10% w/v” is to be understood as “9% to 11% w/v.” Therefore, amounts within 10% of the claimed value are encompassed by the scope of the claims.

[0075] In some embodiments, compositions of the present invention may contain a solvent. Solvents of the present invention include, but are not limited to, ethanol, propylene glycol, water, polyethylene glycol, glycerol, isostearic acid, oleic acid, trolamine, tromethamine, triacetin, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monopalmitate, butanol, iso-amyl acetate, methanol, propanol, isobutene, pentane, hexane, chlorobutanol, turpentine, cytopentasiloxane, cyclomethicone, methyl ethyl ketone and mixtures thereof. Total solvents of the present invention may be at concentrations from about 10% to about 99% w/v, preferably from about 50% to about 99% w/v and more preferably from about 80% to about 95% w/v. In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is a mixture of ethanol, propylene glycol and water, more preferably from about 10% to about 50% w/v ethanol, from about 10% to about 70% w/v propylene glycol and from about 10% to about 50% w/v water and even more preferably about 28% w/v ethanol, about 47% w/v propylene glycol and about 19% w/v water.

[0076] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising a compound that binds FK506 binding protein 4.

[0077] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising a compound that binds FK506 binding protein 4 and one or more additional active agents selected from the group consisting of minoxidil, cyclosporine A, and a combination thereof.

[0078] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, minoxidil and cyclosporine A, wherein R1 is COOH, a methoxy, a phenyl, a benzyl, a substituted phenyl or a substituted benzyl.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment the substituted phenyl and substituted benzyl of the compound of formula (I) are each individually substituted with an alkyl group, a methoxy group or a halogen.

[0080] In a more preferred embodiment the compound of formula (I) is selected from the group consisting of (“RT175”), (“RT1061”), (“RT1062”) and (“RT1063”) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

[0081] In a most preferred embodiment the compound of formula (I) is RT175.

[0082] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising a compound of formula (II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, minoxidil and cyclosporine A.

[0083] In another more preferred aspect, the compositions of the present invention further comprise one or more excipients selected from the group consisting of urea, polyoxyl 40 stearate, a carbomer, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, mineral oil, ethanol, propylene glycol, polyglycol 300, citric acid, sodium phosphate dibasic, stearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, sodium hydroxide, petroleum jelly, xanthan gum, white petrolatum, sorbitol solution, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20, simethicone, sodium benzoate, glyceryl monostearate, polyethylene glycol monostearate, sorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene and water.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment the one or more excipients are a combination of white petrolatum, sorbitol solution, propylene glycol, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20, simethicone, glyceryl monostearate, polyethylene glycol monostearate, sorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene.

[0085] In another preferred embodiment, the one or more excipients are a combination of urea, polyoxyl 40 stearate, propylene glycol, polyglycol 300 (Medibase C available from Medisca), citric acid, sodium phosphate dibasic, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, sodium benzoate and water.

[0086] In a more preferred embodiment, the one or more excipients are a combination of about 1,200 grams of urea, about 103 grams polyoxyl 40 stearate, about 63 milliliters of propylene glycol, about 47 milliliters of polyglycol 300, about 1 gram of citric acid, about 2 grams of sodium phosphate, about 94 grams of cetyl alcohol, about 200 grams of stearyl alcohol, about 219 grams of isopropyl myristate, about 3 grams of sodium benzoate and about 1,000 to about 1,500 milliliters of water.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising minoxidil at a concentration from about 1% to about 10% w/v, cyclosporine A at a concentration from about 0.01% to about 1% w/v and RT175 at a concentration from about 0.000001% to about 0.0001% w/v.

[0088] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising minoxidil at a concentration from about 1% to about 10% w/v, cyclosporine A at a concentration from about 0.01% to about 1% w/v, RT175 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof at a concentration from about 0.000001% to about 0.0001% w/v, ethanol at a concentration from about 10% to about 50% w/v, propylene glycol at a concentration from about 10% to about 70% w/v and water at a concentration from about 10% to about 50% w/v.

[0089] In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising minoxidil at a concentration of about 5% w/v, cyclosporine A at a concentration of about 0.12% w/v and RT175 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof at a concentration of about 0.000012% w/v.

[0090] In another more preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising minoxidil at a concentration of about 5% w/v, cyclosporine A at a concentration of about 0.12% w/v, RT175 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof at a concentration of about 0.000012% w/v, ethanol at a concentration of about 28% w/v, propylene glycol at a concentration of about 47% w/v and water at a concentration of about 19% w/v.

[0091] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of treating alopecia comprising topically administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of a composition of the present invention.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of treating androgenic alopecia comprising topically administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of a composition of the present invention.

[0093] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of treating chemotherapy-induced alopecia, including permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia, comprising topically administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of a composition of the present invention.

[0094] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of treating alopecia in a human in need thereof comprising topically administering concurrently or sequentially minoxidil, cyclosporine A and a compound that binds FK506 binding protein 4.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, the human in need of alopecia treatment suffers from achromotrichia and the method provides regrowth of pigmented hair, preferably the achromotrichia is due to aging.

[0096] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for simultaneously treating alopecia and achromotrichia comprising topically administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula (II)

##STR00009##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, minoxidil and cyclosporine A. In a preferred embodiment, the compound of formula (II) may be present in compositions of the present invention at a concentration from about 0.000001% to about 0.0001% w/v, more preferably from about 0.000005% to about 0.00005% w/v, even more preferably from about 0.00001% to about 0.00002% w/v and most preferably at about 0.000012% w/v. In another preferred embodiment, minoxidil may be present in compositions of the present invention at a concentration from about 1% to about 10% w/v, more preferably from about 2% to about 9% w/v, even more preferably from about 3% to about 7% w/v and most preferably at about 5% w/v. In another preferred embodiment, cyclosporine A may be present in compositions of the present invention at a concentration from about 0.01% to about 1% w/v, more preferably from about 0.05% to about 0.5% w/v, even more preferably from about 0.1% to about 0.2 w/v and most preferably about 0.12% w/v.

[0097] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing facial hair growth (including but not limited to eye brows) comprising topically administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of the compositions of the present invention.

[0098] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of treating alopecia in a human in need thereof comprising topically administering concurrently or sequentially minoxidil at a concentration from about 1% to about 10% w/v, cyclosporine A at a concentration from about 0.01% to about 1% w/v and RT175 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof at a concentration from about 0.000001% to about 0.0001% w/v.

[0099] In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of treating alopecia in a human in need thereof comprising topically administering concurrently or sequentially minoxidil at a concentration of about 5% w/v, cyclosporine A at a concentration of about 0.12% w/v and RT175 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof at a concentration of about 0.000012% w/v.

[0100] In another embodiment the present invention is directed to a method of treating alopecia in a human in need thereof comprising the steps of: [0101] (i) administering fractional laser treatment to an affected area of a human; and [0102] (ii) topically administering a composition of the invention, wherein the steps can be in any order.

[0103] In another embodiment the present invention is directed to a method of treating alopecia in a human in need thereof comprising the steps of: [0104] (i) pretreating an area affected with alopecia with 40% w/v urea; and [0105] (ii) topically administering a composition of the invention. In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of treating alopecia comprising topically administering concomitantly or sequentially a compound that binds FK506 binding protein 4 and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of minoxidil and cyclosporine A.

[0106] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of treating alopecia comprising topically administering concomitantly or sequentially a compound that binds FK506 binding protein 4, minoxidil and cyclosporine A.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising minoxidil at a concentration of about 5% w/v, cyclosporine A at a concentration of about 0.12% w/v and RT175 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, an analog thereof or a derivative thereof at a concentration of about 0.000012% w/v.

[0108] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising minoxidil at a concentration of about 5% w/v, cyclosporine A at a concentration of about 0.12% w/v, RT175 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, an analog thereof or a derivative thereof at a concentration of about 0.000012% w/v, ethanol at a concentration of about 28% w/v, propylene glycol at a concentration of about 47% w/v and water at a concentration of about 19% w/v.

[0109] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising minoxidil at a concentration of about 5% w/v, cyclosporine A at a concentration of about 0.12% w/v, RT175 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, an analog thereof or a derivative thereof at a concentration of about 0.000012% w/v, and one or more excipients selected from the group consisting of urea, a carbomer, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, mineral oil, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, petroleum jelly, xanthan gum and water, in a preferred embodiment the urea is at a concentration of about 40% w/v.

[0110] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a composition for the treatment of alopecia comprising minoxidil, cyclosporine A, RT175 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, an analog thereof or a derivative thereof and one or more excipients selected from the group consisting of urea, a carbomer, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, mineral oil, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, petroleum jelly, xanthan gum and water. In this preferred embodiment the urea is at a concentration of about 40% w/v.

[0111] The formulating of the immediate above preferred embodiment may include the following: [0112] weigh out 100 g 40% urea cream comprising X-Viate™ 40% cream: 40 g urea (w/v), carbopol, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, light mineral oil, propylene glycol, water, sodium hydroxide, white petrolatum and xanthum gum; or emollient cream #1: 40 g urea plus 60 g emollient cream #1 (polyoxyl 40 stearate (103.125 g/L), propylene glycols (62.2 ml/L), polyglycol 300 MW liquid (46.875 ml/L), citric acid-anhydrous (1.1 g/L), sodium phosphate dibasic (2.04 g/L), cetyl alcohol wax (93.75 g/L), stearyl alcohol wax (200 g/L), isopropyl myristate (218.75/L), dd H.sub.2O to 1 L; sodium benzoate (3.125 g/L)); add 5 g minoxidil powder and then add 120 mg cyclosporine A powder or 120 mg cyclosporine A dissolved in 2 ml propylene glycol; followed by adding 50 μl of a 1M solution RT175 (>120 ng/ml final); and then mixing the resultant composition and loading it into 20 ml syringes or into tubes for dispensing.

EXAMPLES

Example 1. Punch Biopsies of Mouse Dorsal Skin Treated Topically with RT175

[0113] Mice underwent 5 millimeter, full thickness, punch biopsies of their dorsal skin. Mice were then treated topically with 120 nanograms (“ng”) of RT175, daily.

[0114] 5 days after punch biopsy healing of the wound site is clearly accelerated in mice receiving RT175 over vehicle. See FIG. 1. 9 days after punch biopsy 80% of the RT175 treated wounds are completely closed. The other 20% of RT175 treated wounds closed within 18 hours. Additionally, 9 days after punch biopsy the RT175 treated wounds displayed robust hair regeneration, with intact follicles even in the middle of the wound. See FIG. 1. By comparison, the vehicle treated tissue has yet to regenerate follicles in the center of the wound site.

Example 2. Scalp Closure Following Craniotomy in Rats Treated Topically with RT175

[0115] Rats which had undergone brain surgery to test RT175 mediated regeneration of the brain following stroke. Following surgery, the scalp was closed. Those rats which had received RT175 treatment achieved full scalp closure. See FIG. 2(a). However, those rats which did not receive RT175 treatment did not achieve scalp closure. See FIG. 2(b).

Example 3. Skin Lesions in Pig Treated Topically with RT175

[0116] A single pig underwent bilateral, slit thickness, skin surgery leaving lesions on opposite sides of the pig. One of these lesions was then treated topically with 120 ng of RT175, daily. The other lesion was treated with vehicle only. The lesion treated with RT175, and not the lesion treated with vehicle only, exhibited early and transient appearance of granulation tissue, followed by rapid revascularization, invasion of newly formed skin from wound edges, accelerated repigmentation and regeneration of hair. See FIG. 3 and compare 3(b) to 3(a). The de novo hair growth is consistent with the regeneration of the upper hair follicles, most of which would have been removed as the microtome sliced through the skin in creating the split thickness wounds.

Example 4. 59-Year-Old Male with Androgenic Alopecia Treated Topically with RT175 and RT175/Minoxidil

[0117] A 59-year-old white with androgenic alopecia was treated twice daily with 1 milliliter of a composition containing 120 nanograms/milliliter (“ng/mL”) of RT175 in 30% w/v ethanol, 50% w/v propylene glycol and 20% w/v water. The composition was applied directly to the bald skin on the crown of the head once in the morning after showering and once before going to bed. Baseline hair distribution is shown in FIG. 4(a).

[0118] FIG. 4(b) shows an absence of hair growth 4 months after RT175 treatment. The subject went on treatment holiday for 1 month, before beginning treatment with 120 ng/mL of RT175 and 5% w/v minoxidil in 30% w/v ethanol, 50% w/v propylene glycol and 20% w/v water. FIG. 4(c) depicts the subjects scalp before initiation of the second round of treatment. FIG. 4(d) shows the failure of the combination of RT175 and minoxidil to induce new hair growth.

Example 5. 57-Year-Old Male with Androgenic Alopecia Treated Topically with RT175/Minoxidil/Cyclosporine A

[0119] A 57-year-old male with androgenic alopecia was treated twice daily with 1 milliliter of a composition containing 120 ng/mL of RT175 (0.000012% w/v), 1.2 milligrams per milliliter (“mg/mL”) of cyclosporine A (0.12% w/v) and 5% w/v minoxidil in about 28% w/v ethanol, about 47% w/v propylene glycol, and about 19% w/v water. The composition was applied directly to the bald skin on the crown of the head once in the morning after showering and once before going to bed. The extent of hair loss is depicted in FIG. 5 in the panel at the upper left (baseline).

[0120] FIG. 5 upper right panel shows an unexpected and extensive hair growth after 21 days. FIG. 5 middle left panel shows continued hair growth after 28 days. FIG. 5 middle right panel show continued hair growth after 35 days and lower left panel shows additional hair growth at 42 days. These results are surprising in light of and in stark contrast to the findings in Example 4 that RT175 alone or in combination with minoxidil did not induce new hair growth in a male suffering from androgenic alopecia.

Example 6. 62-Year-Old Female with Androgenic Alopecia Treated Topically with RT175/Minoxidil/Cyclosporine A

[0121] A 62-year-old female with androgenic alopecia was treated twice daily with 1 milliliter of a composition containing 120 ng/mL of RT175 (0.000012% w/v), 1.2 milligrams per milliliter (“mg/mL”) of cyclosporine A (0.12% w/v) and 5% w/v minoxidil in about 28% w/v ethanol, about 47% w/v propylene glycol, and about 19% w/v water. The composition was applied directly to the bald skin on the crown of the head once in the morning after showering and once before going to bed. The extent of hair loss is depicted in FIG. 6a. (baseline).

[0122] FIG. 6b. shows an unexpected and extensive hair growth after 12 weeks. These results are surprising in light of and in stark contrast to the findings in Example 4 that RT175 alone or in combination with minoxidil did not induce new hair growth in individuals suffering from androgenic alopecia.

Example 7. 57-Year-Old Male with Androgenic Alopecia and Achromotrichia Treated Topically with RT175/Minoxidil/Cyclosporine A Displays Regrowth of Pigmented Hair

[0123] A 57-year-old male with androgenic alopecia and who had already gone through achromotrichia (natural loss of pigmentation in the hair follicle and hair shaft) was treated twice daily continuously for 20 weeks with 1 milliliter of a composition containing 120 ng/mL of RT175 (0.000012% w/v), 1.2 milligrams per milliliter (“mg/mL”) of cyclosporine A (0.12% w/v) and 5% w/v minoxidil in about 28% w/v ethanol, about 47% w/v propylene glycol, and about 19% w/v water. The composition was initially applied directly to the bald skin at the crown of the head once after showering in the morning and once before going to bed. The composition continued to be applied after robust hair growth. At 5 weeks, the subject began growing pigmented hair in the area of the head where hair loss had occurred. See FIG. 7a. The new pigmented hair of the subject was of a similar color as the subject's hair prior to the subject undergoing achromotrichia. The hair outside of the treated area did not develop pigment. By the 20.sup.th week of treatment, there was extensive growth of pigmented hair over the totality of the treated area. See FIG. 7b. By 1 year, there was a confluence of pigmented hair over the totality of the treated area. See FIG. 7c. This result demonstrates that the composition of the invention not only regrows hair in patients with androgenic alopecia but also regrows pigmented hair in patients with androgenic alopecia who have undergone achromotrichia due to aging.

Example 8. 57-Year-Old Male with Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia Treated Topically with RT175/Minoxidil/Cyclosporine A Displays Regrowth Hair

[0124] A 57-year-old male with hair loss following chemotherapy treated twice daily with 1 milliliter of a composition containing 120 ng/mL of RT175 (0.000012% w/v), 1.2 milligrams per milliliter (“mg/mL”) of cyclosporine A (0.12% w/v) and 5% w/v minoxidil in about 28% w/v ethanol, about 47% w/v propylene glycol, and about 19% w/v water. The composition was applied directly to the bald skin on the crown of the head once in the morning after showering and once before going to bed. The extent of hair loss is depicted in FIG. 8a. (baseline).

[0125] FIG. 8b. shows an unexpected and extensive hair growth after 21 days. These results are surprising in light of and in stark contrast to the findings in Example 4 that RT175 alone or in combination with minoxidil did not induce new hair growth in a male suffering from androgenic alopecia.

Example 9. Prophetic Combination Treatment of Alopecia with Fractional Laser Treatment and Topical Minoxidil, Cyclosporine A or RT175

Method

[0126] Subject 1, a 50-year-old male, was subjected to topical administration of RT175, once in the morning after showering and once before going to bed for 60 days. After 30 days-post treatment Subject 1 had not experienced significant hair regrowth. 60 days-post RT175 treatment Subject 1 was subjected to Fraxel® fractional laser treatment of areas of the scalp affected by alopecia using standard Fraxel® protocol. 45 day-post Fraxel® treatment Subject 1 had not experienced substantial hair regrowth. 7 days later, Subject 1 was retreated with Fraxel® followed 8 hours later by topical treatment with a composition containing RT175. Subject 1 then continued topical treatment with the RT175 composition for 60 days.

[0127] Results

[0128] On day 21-post Fraxel®/RT175 treatment, subject 1 began regrowing hair in areas of the scalp affected by alopecia. This regrowth continued through the end of the treatment on day 90.

Example 10. 24-Year-Old Male with Inadequate Facial Hair Growth Treated Topically with RT175/Minoxidil/Cyclosporine a Displays Enhanced Growth of Facial Hair

[0129] A 24 year old male with inadequate facial hair growth was treated twice daily for three weeks with 0.4 milliliter of a composition containing 120 ng/mL of RT175 (0.000012% w/v), 1.2 milligrams per milliliter (“mg/mL”) of cyclosporine A (0.12% w/v) and 5% w/v minoxidil in Vanicream® (Vanicream is a registered trademark of Pharmaceutical specialties, Inc. and contains white petrolatum, sorbitol solution, propylene glycol, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20, simethicone, glyceryl monostearate, polyethylene glycol monostearate, sorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene). FIG. 9, upper panels, shows baseline facial hair. FIG. 9, lower panels, shows facial hair following three weeks of twice daily treatment with RT175/cyclosporine A/minoxidil.

Example 11. 45-Year-Old Female with Inadequate Eyebrow Growth Treated Topically with RT175/Minoxidil/Cyclosporine A Displays Enhanced Growth of Eyebrows

[0130] A 45-year-old female with inadequate eyebrow growth was treated twice daily for twelve weeks with 0.4 milliliter of a composition containing 120 ng/mL of RT175 (0.000012% w/v), 1.2 milligrams per milliliter (“mg/mL”) of cyclosporine A (0.12% w/v) and 5% w/v minoxidil in Vanicream®. FIG. 10a. shows baseline eyebrows. FIG. 10b-d. shows eyebrows following 3, 9 and 12 weeks of twice daily treatment with RT175/cyclosporine A/minoxidil.

Example 12. Treatment of Dermabrasion Lesions of Dorsal Skin of Mice with RT175 Analog, RT1061

[0131] Retired ICR breeder mice of both sexes with weight between 45 and 50 grams were shaved and rasped to induce dermabrasion lesions. The animals were then randomly assigned (5 per treatment arm) to one of two groups to receive either 5 μL of 100 nanomolar RT1061 or a vehicle control. RT1061 or vehicle control was applied topically to the lesion site once each day including immediately after dermabrasion.

[0132] Results of the study can be seen in FIG. 11. As shown, treatment with RT1061 (panels b., d. and f.) resulted in rapid hair growth and rapid regeneration of rasped skin. In contrast, treatment with the control vehicle resulted in scab formation and no hair regrowth 10 days after rasping. See FIG. 11, panels a., c. and e.