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Azelaic Acid as a Novel Treatment for Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA)

A Pilot Study of Azelaic Acid as a Novel Treatment for Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Early Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05416333
Acronym
(CCCA)
Enrollment
18
Registered
2022-06-13
Start date
2024-08-12
Completion date
2026-12-01
Last updated
2026-02-13

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

Conditions

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

Keywords

hair growth, hair follicle regrowth, hair loss regression

Brief summary

The purpose of this pilot study is to determine if azelaic acid shows potential to be an effective treatment for Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA). In this study, the aim is to compare azelaic acid vs placebo since azelaic acid may increase anti-inflammatory effects that affect the hair growth cycle.

Detailed description

The management of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) is challenging due to limited current treatments and a lack of randomized controlled trials. Management focuses on behavioral and styling modifications, in addition to symptomatic relief. Any potentially damaging hair care practices such as chemical relaxers, heat application to the scalp, and the use of hardening gels and sprays are discouraged. Many commonly used therapies are anti-inflammatory in nature, including intralesional steroids, topical steroids, oral antibiotics and increased frequency of hair washing with antidandruff shampoos. These treatments not only lead to improvement in pruritus and tenderness, but in some cases result in increased hair density. Currently, comparison studies of different treatments for CCCA subjects is limited. The aim is to determine if there is an advantage in using one particular anti-inflammatory therapy over another for relieving symptoms and promoting hair follicle regrowth.

Interventions

Subjects will use the topical formulation once daily on the scalp. The subjects will use the treatment for a total of 6 months

OTHERusual medication for CCCA

Subjects will continue to use their already prescribed topical formulation once daily on the scalp. The subjects will use their treatment for a total of 6 months

Sponsors

Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

15 patients for the study will be randomized to one of two groups who consent to participate in a novel treatment with azelaic acid or the control (no additional treatment besides Subject's already prescribed drug)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* women eighteen years of age or older * biopsy-proven and /or clinical diagnosis of CCCA Stage II-IV * on stable treatment without changes for at least three months * recruited from outpatient dermatology clinics at the Wake Forest Baptist Health Department of Dermatology

Exclusion criteria

* males

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Amount of hair loss regressionBaselinemeasured by standardized photos and dermatoscope photos

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Amount of hair regrowthMonths 2, 4, and 6measured by standardized photos and dermatoscope photos
Amount of alleviation of signs and symptoms of diseaseMonths 2, 4, and 6Higher scores means worse symptoms and signs of disease - Clinical signs and symptoms of CCCA will be documented by administering a standardized questionnaire to all subjects. Subjects will complete the standardized questionnaire regarding symptoms of their hair loss at the start of the enrollment and every 2 months until the study is completed.
Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)Baseline and Month 6Scores of "not at all" to "very much"

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAmy J McMichael, MD

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 14, 2026