Noted dermatologist Dr. Rinky Kapoor and Dr Debraj Shome, a facial plastic surgeon, recently discovered QR 678, a new treatment for baldness, which has also got a US patent.

Dr. Rinky Kapoor talks to Healthpost about various aspects of her new medicine and how it is different from existing treatments.
 

Q. When did you find QR678?

In 2007, Dr Debraj Shome, a facial plastic surgeon and my colleague, was working on a cancer chemotherapy molecule called carboplatin along with IIT Mumbai team. They were trying to formulate a nano molecular form of carboplatin and trying to inject it around the eyes of rats, who were suffering from eye cancer.

They observed that the hair around the eyes of the rats, started disappearing. It was seen as a side-effect of the drug.

When we studied the possible cause, we found that the cancer drug was affecting the hair follicle in and around that area and damaging certain hair growth factors. We thought if we can inject these growth factors after producing them outside the body, it might induce hair re-growth. And it did.

It was the beginning. We realized that these growth factors can be used in humans also. We conducted animal studies and then a pilot on 100 humans. The results were promising.

We have now completed trials with 10, 000 patients and are awaiting DGCI approval of this injection for commercial production.

Q. You got US patent for your medicine? What does it mean for you?

To get a US patent for an individual doctor is tough. We worked hard for 4-5 years to make it possible. Hair loss is a common worldwide problem. This drug is going to help men and women across the world, and not just in India.

Getting a US patent is extremely difficult. The scrutiny mechanism is stringent, your paper is critically analyzed by top notch authorities in pharma and legal industry. So, if you get through, your product gets credibility as well as superiority. As an inventor, you feel confident of your product.

What is the difference between QR678 and other available hair treatment?

Rogain or minoxidil as a local application on the scalp has been known for ages to control hair fall. It induces hair growth by improving blood circulations to roots. But it does not work in patients who lack certain enzymes. Also, it may induce hair growth on face and upper body, where it is not needed.

Besides, it is not a permanent solution and has to be applied forever.

Another treatment involves injecting stem cells derived from plants or animals into the scalp for hair growth. But the problem is these stem cells also have growth factors for skin, bone, etc. So, the concentration of hair growth factors would not be more than 10-12 per cent in the entire cocktail.

Then there is platelet rich plasma therapy to reduce hair fall. For that, patient’s own blood is taken and centrifuged to separate platelets from it. These separated platelets are then injected into the scalp. But again, the growth factors present in platelets are for multiple use,  specifically only for the hair. And so it is less effective.

In addition there is no standardisation of the manufacturing techniques, concentration of the products required to induce hair growth or the method of use, for the above mentioned therapies. Physicians are using them as per their judgement and experience. 

While QR678 is manufactured in lab; the composition has standard concentration of growth factors, which are optimum for human hair growth. It is much more economical than the other methods, especially hair transplant.

How do you use QR678?

The composition is given intradermally, in the affected areas of the scalp. Multiple tiny injections --around 70-80 shots-- are given in one session. It is a local application and the technique used ensures that the drug does not get absorbed in the body. We need to give 8-12 sessions, each at an interval of 4-5 weeks depending on the extent of hair loss. It doesn’t require any anaesthesia.

It takes 3-4 sessions for the medicine to show its effect. There is  continuous hair growth after the fifth session.

Men with androgenic alopecia get faster results than women.

Is it a one-time treatment or one needs follow-ups?

Once a person completes an entire course, in most cases no follow-up is required. But patients, who have a genetic cause of hair loss, may require maintenance. A person may need to undergo a maintenance therapy which includes 3-5 sessions of QR678 every year. You cannot eradicate a genetic problem.

Patients who don’t have genetic factor, for example those suffering from Alopecia areata, or have lost hair due to chemotherapy or illness, do not need follow- up treatment.

What are the main causes of hair loss among Indians? 

The commonest cause of hair loss in males is androgenic alopecia. In women, it could be hormonal imbalance, poly cystic ovarian syndrome, menstrual irregularities, thyroid problem, pregnancy, iron deficiency, calcium deficiency, Vit D or B deficiency. People who have psychiatric illness or those are under a lot of stress may also suffer hair loss.