May 8 2006, 1:36 pm PT | Posted in: Diseases
Does a person with alopecia universalis have a less likely chance cancer of getting Basal Cell Carcinoma(BCC)?
i have never heard of alopecia universalis before your blog. From research hair stem cells seem cause BCC when misregulated.
Alopecia universalis refers to a particular disease entity that is genetic and autoimmune. Without hair to shield the scalp from sun and the harmful effects of direct sun light, there will be an increased chance of UV light damage, thus leading to a higher chance of the various skin cancers that are sun induced.
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Thanks, do you have a link that gives the risk of “Basal Cell Carcinoma and Alopecia Universalis”
It makes sense that the UV radation increases your risk for DNA damage. However, if your immune system is attacking the cells that cause BCC, then it is intersting that BCC still forms. Maybe once I can read were you got your information it might be more clear.
Alopecia Universalis, and hedgehog (Hh) pathway agonist?
Once Hh pathway is activated, it causes cells not to be target by the immune sytem (just like cancer). It downregulates the receptors that immune system targets on the cells. So MAYBE, the Hh agonist will all people to grow hair but they would have to apply it on a regular doses inorder to keep it growing.
This is a BIG maybe
“These results suggest that the topical application of Hh-agonist could be effective in treating conditions of decreased proliferation and aberrant follicular cycling in the scalp including androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss).”
Cheers,
Actually the first idea for the Hh agonist and hair growth was for chemo patients.
“thus leading to a higher chance of the various skin cancers that are sun induced.”
I’m still curious about your response, is it based on a “hunch” or facts? Please provide us a source about Alopecia Universalis and BCC formation.
Cheers