The first system for preventing chemotherapy induced alopecia (hair loss).

Greatly enhances patient quality of life and compliance in receiving treatment.

Completely new and unique system.

Utilizes proprietary, patented liposome technology.

Extremely easy to use.

Applied topically, can potentially be formulated as shampoo or hair conditioner.

Worldwide patent available for licensing from AntiCancer.

DermaTek is the first product for preventing chemotherapy induced alopecia (hair loss). Hair loss is a very negative factor in cancer patient care and quality of life. Many patients, especially women, feel it is probably the most negative aspect of cancer treatment. Currently there are no other products available to counteract this serious problem.

DermaTek is a new product which uses AntiCancer's patented liposome technology to deliver compounds directly to the hair follicles. To prevent alopecia, liposomes are used to deliver cell cycle inhibitors which block the growth cycle of the hair. In this state the hair is protected from the effects of chemotherapeutic agents.

Applying the liposomes is simplicity itself. AntiCancer anticipates that the final product will be formulated as a shampoo for hair conditioner. The patient simply needs to apply the formulation before chemotherapy is started. The hair is then protected. The formulation is reapplied, probably on a daily basis, throughout the chemotherapy. Under these conditions the hair does not grow but is not lost. After chemotherapy is complete, the patient simply stops applying the formulation to restore hair growth.

The graph to the left represents results of histoculture experiments using cyclophosphamids and doxorubicin. These are agents with high alopecia effects. In these experiments approximately 80% of the hair was retained.

A very important point to consider is that the hair protective agents are targeted by the liposomes only to hair follicle. They are not absorbed systemically and so cannot interfere with the chemotherapy.

This DermaTek product is ready to move rapidly into phase I trials. Many cell cycle inhibitors and genes can be delivered with similar or enhanced effects. The Company has demonstrated that all phases of the hair growth and loss cycle are represented in the Company's DermaTek skin histoculture technology. This opens up the possibility of discovery of other hair growth protective agent, including genes as well as hair growth stimulators. No other company is known to have this capability.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88 1908-1912, 1991
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 89 8764-8768, 1992
In Vitro Cell Dev. Biol. 28A 679-681, 1992
In Vitro Cell Dev. Biol. 28A 695-698, 1992
In Vitro Cell Dev. Biol. 29A 192-194, 1993
In Vitro Cell Dev. Biol. 29A 258-260, 1993
Nature Medicine 1995