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Alopecia areata - Patent and Technology Mapping
==Overview==
The commonest presentation of alopecia areata is appearance of bald patches on the scalp. In most cases, hair falls out in small, round patches about the size of a small coin. The patient may have single or multiple such patches. In some cases these patches may remain static, whereas in some cases the patches may spread to involve larger areas of the scalp. In some cases, hair loss is more extensive. Although it is not very common, the disease can progress to cause total loss of hair on the head (alopecia areata totalis) or complete loss of hair on the head, face, and rest of the body (alopecia areata universalis).
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===Causes===
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Alopecia areata is considered to be an auto-immune condition in which the immune system of the body (which protects the body from bacteria, viruses, allergens, etc.) mistakenly attacks the hair follicles and destroys them. This leads to hair loss in the affected area. This abnormal behavior of the immune system is understood to be guided, influenced and triggered by multiple factors.
Some other common causative factors that can contribute to the development of alopecia areata have been mentioned below:
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One or more of the following factors may be found responsible in cases of alopecia areata:
* Fungal infection of the scalp
===Types of Alopecia areata===
[[image: Types of alopecia areate.jpeg|500 px|center|thumb]]
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==Molecular Mechanism==
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which cells of the anagen hair bulb are attacked by T lymphocytes. In a process resembling chemotherapy-induced hair loss, lymphocyte infiltration of the growing hair bulb forces the anagen follicles into dystrophic catagen, causing the hair shaft to break off. Possible targets of autoimmune attack in alopecia areata include matrix keratinocytes, dermal papilla cells, and melanocytes. Linkage analyses indicate that this disease has a genetic component, though the range of associated genes, including the major histocompatibility complex, cytokine and immunoglobulin genes.
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==Market Information==
===Epidemiological aspects===
* The disease can begin at any time of life, but with a peak incidence between 20 and 50 years of age, and other articles affirm 60% of the patients present the first episode of the disease before 20 years of age.
* Alopecia areata accounts for 2% of the first dermatological consultations in the United Kingdom and United States.
* The prevalence of AA in the United States, between 1971 and 1974, varied from 0.1% to 0.2% of the population.9 Some works have estimated that about 1.7% of the population presents at least one episode of AA during their life. [http://www.scielo.br/pdf/abd/v80n1/en_v80n01a09.pdf Source]
==Clinical and Drug trials==
===Clinical Trials===
The format for each of the following is:
* The name of the trial,
* followed by whether the trial is recruiting patients,
** The trial may not have started and not yet recruiting, or the trial may have started and do not need any more recruitements, or the trial may be completed.
**Note**: Please follow the link to determine the current trial status.
* followed by a list of drug/s, if any, used in the trial
'''ClinicalTrials.gov has listed the following trials for Alopecia Areata:'''
* [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00069589 Alopecia Areata Registry] - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
* [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00167102 Alefacept in Patients With Severe Scalp Alopecia Areata] - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Alefacept
* [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00187577 Efficacy Study of Latanoprost and Bimatoprost Solutions in Promoting Eyelash Growth in Patients With Alopecia Areata] - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Latanoprost (Xalatan),Bimatoprost (Lumigan)
* [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00176982 Plaquenil for Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis] - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Hydroxychloroquine
* [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00063076 Phase II Randomized Bilateral Comparison of Topical Targretin Gel 1% in Alopecia Areata] - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Targretin Gel 1%
* [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00176943 Characteristics of T Cells From Alopecia Areata Scalp Skin Before and After Treatment With Aldara 5%] - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Aldara Cream 5%
* [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00176969 Response of Topical Capsaicin in Alopecia Areata] - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Capsaicin
* [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00177021 Aldara for the Treatment of Extensive Alopecia Areata] - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Aldara Cream 5%
* [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00177073 Alopecia Areata Registry and Immunogenetic Mechanisms] - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
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===Drug Trials===
The format for each of the following is:
* The drug,
* followed by the name of the trial,
* followed by whether the trial is recruiting patients,
** The trial may not have started and not yet recruiting, or the trial may have started and do not need any more recruitements, or the trial may be completed.
** Note**: Please follow the link to determine the current trial status.
'''ClinicalTrials.gov has listed the following drugs in trials for Alopecia Areata:'''
* Aldara Cream 5% - [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00177021 Aldara for the Treatment of Extensive Alopecia Areata] - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
* Aldara Cream 5% - [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00176943 Characteristics of T Cells From Alopecia Areata Scalp Skin Before and After Treatment With Aldara 5%] - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
* Alefacept - [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00167102 Alefacept in Patients With Severe Scalp Alopecia Areata] - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
* Bimatoprost (Lumigan) - [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00187577 Efficacy Study of Latanoprost and Bimatoprost Solutions in Promoting Eyelash Growth in Patients With Alopecia Areata] - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
* Capsaicin - [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00176969 Response of Topical Capsaicin in Alopecia Areata] - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
* Hydroxychloroquine - [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00176982 Plaquenil for Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis] - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
* Latanoprost (Xalatan) - [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00187577 Efficacy Study of Latanoprost and Bimatoprost Solutions in Promoting Eyelash Growth in Patients With Alopecia Areata] - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
* Targretin Gel 1% - [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00063076 Phase II Randomized Bilateral Comparison of Topical Targretin Gel 1% in Alopecia Areata] - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
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==Treatment Approaches==
The following are some of the common treatments used for alopecia areata in conventional medical practice. These treatments may promote hair growth but none of them prevent new patches from appearing or actually cure the underlying disease; thus they are nothing more than temporary measures for treating alopecia areata:
* '''Corticosteroids''': These drugs have strong anti-inflammatory action and they suppress the immune system if given orally so they are often used in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases, including alopecia areata. Corticosteroids may be administered in three ways for alopecia areata:
** As local injections in the affected area
** As oral medication
** As topical ointments
* '''Minoxidil''': Topical application of minoxidil solution is one of the commonest prescriptions for alopecia areata. Minoxidil is said to promote hair growth in several conditions in which the hair follicle is small and not growing to its full potential.
* '''Anthralin:''' Anthralin, a synthetic tar-like substance that is commonly used to treat alopecia areata. It is often used in combination with other treatments, such as corticosteroid injections or minoxidil.
* '''Oral cyclosporine:''' An immuno-suppressor drug, Cyclosporine is used in some cases of alopecia areata though it must be kept in mind that its side-effects include risk of serious infection and possibly skin cancer. It must be noted that the dangers of this drug outweigh its benefits for alopecia areata.
* '''Sulfasalazine''': Sulfasalazine acts on the immune system and it is used in severe cases of alopecia areata.
* '''PUVA treatment''': In PUVA (also called photochemotherapy), a drug called a psoralen is applied topically or taken orally and then the alopecia patch is exposed to an ultraviolet light source.
* '''Alternative therapie'''s: Alternative therapies commonly used by patients for alopecia areata include acupuncture, aroma therapy, evening primrose oil, zinc and vitamin supplements, and Chinese herbs. [http://www.alopeciaareata.us/contreat.htm Source]
==Intellectual Property==
===Patent MappingSearch Strategy==='''Search scope''': US Granted US Applications EP-A EP-B WO JP (bibliographic data only) DE-C,B DE-A DE-T DE-U GB-A FR-A <br>'''Limitation''': Claims, Title or Abstract<br>'''Years''': 1836-2007<br>'''Text''': (((alopecia ADJ areata) OR (baldness ADJ spots))) AND (Minimiz* OR Promote OR inhibit* OR reduce* OR stimulat* OR treatment OR prevention) AND (hair)) <br>'''Hits''': '''''100 Unique patent families'''''<br>'''Date of Search''': 5th April 2007<br> [[Media: Analysis sheet_ver3.xls| Analysis sheet]] ---- ==Competitor Mapping=Taxonomy=== [[image:Taxonomy_ver2.jpeg|800 px|center|thumb]] ---- ==ConclusionKey Competitors==* Merck is the key players with 19 patents, followed by Abbott with 2 patents.==Dashboard==[http://client.dolcera.com/dashboard/dashboard.html?workfile_id=12 Dash Board]
