AGAcell® on "RTVE":A Spanish Study Brings the End of Alopecia Closer

A Spanish Study Brings the End of Alopecia Closer

Spanish scientists have set a five-year horizon to potentially put an end to alopecia, following a study conducted at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid and recently published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy.

The key to success—so far demonstrated in mice—lies in a combination of stem cells derived from adipose (fat) tissue and an energizing molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which acts like an energy “battery” for the stem cell. The initial results are promising: 90% of the rodents experienced hair regrowth.

The study focuses primarily on addressing androgenetic alopecia, which affects around 80% of men and 40% of women, as well as over 30% of the population aged 50 and above.

This type of alopecia typically begins in the front of the scalp in men (the classic receding hairline), while in women it more commonly appears as a generalized thinning of hair on the crown of the head.

High treatment efficacy

The primary culprit behind alopecia is a molecule called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which, upon binding to the scalp, causes miniaturization of hair follicles, shortens the growth cycle, and produces thinner and more fragile hair. The study focused on how to neutralize the effects of this molecule.

Up to 50% of the male mice treated with a low dose of the stem cell and ATP cocktail showed complete hair regrowth, while the remaining half experienced significant regrowth. "This means that hair regrew in all treated male mice," explained Dr. Eduardo López Bran, Head of the Dermatology Department at the Madrid hospital. In the case of female mice, a lower dose was used and the results were slightly less pronounced—though still very encouraging—with 90% achieving hair regrowth.

Among the female mice treated with a medium dose, 50% experienced total regrowth, 40% showed significant improvement, and the remaining cases had limited results.

The next step is to replicate the results in humans. Dermatologists at Hospital San Carlos believe that a clinical trial could be launched next year, with the therapy potentially reaching dermatology clinics within the next five years. Ideal candidates for the upcoming study will be men and women aged 18 to 50 with moderate androgenetic alopecia.

According to Dr. López Bran, the end of baldness in both men and women is now closer than ever—though full realization will depend on the successful completion of upcoming clinical trial phases, human testing, and regulatory approvals.