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Minoxidil for the Treatment of Persistent Alopecia in Pediatric and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Trial Status: active

This phase II trial tests the safety of minoxidil and how well it works in treating therapy-related hair loss (alopecia) that has continued for longer than 6 months (persistent) in pediatric and young adult cancer survivors. Persistent alopecia can occur after radiation and / or chemotherapy due to damage to hair follicles. Persistent hair loss is rarely included as an adverse event in clinical trials and is often under-recognized by healthcare providers. Persistent hair loss has a negative effect on the quality of life among childhood cancer survivors. Studies in children and adults with different types of hair loss have shown that minoxidil can help with hair growth. Minoxidil is a drug that may increase blood flow to hair follicles and stimulate hairs to grow. Minoxidil that is put on the skin is routinely used for hair loss in cancer survivors, however, some patients find it requires a long time to apply each day and some areas of the scalp may get missed. Taking minoxidil by mouth (orally) may make it easier to take daily and avoids the problem of missing areas of the scalp as well as possible skin irritation from the application. Giving minoxidil may increase hair growth and may improve quality of life in pediatric and young adult cancer survivors.