Association of Polymorphisms in the Androgen Receptor Gene and Finasteride Response in Women With Androgenetic Alopecia

Study Evaluating the Association of CAG Repeat Polymorphisms and Finasteride Response in Women With Androgenetic Alopecia

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 1

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01052870

Enrollment

Registered

2010-01-20

Start date

2008-12-31

Completion date

2009-12-31

Last updated

2010-01-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Androgenetic Alopecia

Keywords

pharmacogenomics, androgen receptor gene, androgen sensitivity, CAG repeats, androgenetic alopecia, Pharmacogenomics in treatment for androgenetic alopecia in women

Brief summary

Previous studies of finasteride treatment in women with hair loss have failed to show positive results, yet, some women have responded anecdotally. Given that polymorphisms of the androgen receptor gene which confer androgen sensitivity impact male response to finasteride therapy, it was hypothesized that the same polymorphism in women may identify the group that will respond. This study is designed to test the impact of finasteride therapy on hair loss in postmenopausal women.

Detailed description

Androgen sensitivity in the cell is determined by the number of Cytosine-Adenine-Guanine repeats in the Androgen Receptor gene. Lower CAG repeats have been associated in previous studies with androgenic conditions such as acne, hirsutism and hair loss in men and women. Keeping this in mind, we tested women with hair loss in the frontal or vertex area, for their AR genotype. Patients were randomized to placebo or 1 mg finasteride therapy for 6 months. Global photographs and 2 tatooed areas of 1cm2 each were measured monthly to assess global appearance and hair counts for medication impact.

Interventions

DRUGFinasteride

Effect of 1 mg finasteride on women with androgenetic alopecia depending on their AR gene polymorphism (androgen sensitivity)

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* women with hair loss

Exclusion criteria

* pre menopausal, * metabolic or medication or non-androgenetic causes of hair loss, * diffuse hair loss

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026