jcm-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Autoimmune-Induced Alopecia and Emerging Therapies in Hair Loss—2nd Edition

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Dermatology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 May 2026 | Viewed by 4780

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Dermatology, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
Interests: autoimmune-induced alopecia; clinical dermatology; hair loss
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to contribute to the Special Issue "Autoimmune-Induced Alopecia and Emerging Therapies in Hair Loss—2nd Edition". This is a new edition; we published 5 papers in the first volume. For more details, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm/special_issues/178FULJB32.

Autoimmune-induced alopecia, such as alopecia areata and cicatricial alopecia, occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss. Recent advances in treatment have focused on emerging therapies that aim to modulate immune responses and promote follicular regeneration and hair growth, spanning from medical therapies to surgical options.

The aim of this Special Issue is to review the pathophysiological mechanisms behind hair loss and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of emerging therapies in the management of this condition. It seeks to provide a comprehensive scope that includes patient management strategies and future directions in research and therapy.

Autoimmune-induced alopecia primarily includes alopecia areata, which itself can manifest in several forms, such as patchy alopecia areata, where hair falls out in small patches, and alopecia totalis and universalis, where complete loss of hair occurs on the scalp or all over the body, respectively. Another type, scarring alopecia, involves the destruction of hair follicles and replacement with scar tissue, permanently impacting hair growth. Novel hair treatments have revolutionized patient management in dermatology by providing truly effective therapies. These advancements have not only improved clinical outcomes, with higher rates of hair regrowth, but have also enhanced the quality of life for patients by offering treatments with fewer side effects and better disease control.

This Special Issue spotlights novel insights into immunological underpinnings and genetic predispositions of autoimmune-induced alopecia. It also explores emerging therapies in hair loss, including new pharmacological interventions, gene therapy techniques, and biotechnological advances, aiming to revolutionize treatment paradigms and patient outcomes in hair loss management.

We encourage the submission of papers focused on autoimmune-induced alopecia and new therapeutic options for any type of hair loss, including medical therapies and surgical approaches.

Dr. David Saceda-Corralo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • autoimmune-induced alopecia
  • alopecia areata
  • cicatricial alopecia
  • occurs
  • hair loss
  • frontal fibrosing alopecia

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

11 pages, 931 KB  
Article
A Novel, Drinkable Food Supplement Formulation Reduces Hair Shedding and Increases the Percentage of Anagen Scalp Hair Follicles in Females with Hair Loss
by Manuel Sáez Moya, Gillian E. Westgate, Ralf Paus and Daniela Grohmann
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(23), 8471; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14238471 - 28 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3354
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Telogen effluvium (TE) is a common, non-scarring hair loss condition characterized by excessive shedding due to disruptions in the hair growth cycle. It is often triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or nutritional deficiencies and is often associated with impaired quality of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Telogen effluvium (TE) is a common, non-scarring hair loss condition characterized by excessive shedding due to disruptions in the hair growth cycle. It is often triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or nutritional deficiencies and is often associated with impaired quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel once-a-day drinkable food supplement in women experiencing TE. Methods: A monocentric, open-label, single-arm pilot study was conducted, enrolling 37 female subjects aged 20 to 45 years with self-perceived hair shedding and diagnosed with TE. Subjects refrained from using products with similar effects throughout the study. Evaluations included hair density, hair shedding, anagen to catagen/telogen (A:C/T) ratio, and self-perception after 1, 3, and 6 months. Statistical analyses were performed using Linear Mixed-effects Models (LMMs) and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: At 1, 3, and 6 months, a statistically significant increase in hair density compared to baseline was observed under the regimen of the tested product. After 6 months, this translated into a 12% increase vs. baseline (p < 0.001). Hair shedding decreased significantly from baseline to each subsequent visit, with a 28% reduction in shedding after 6 months (p < 0.05). The A:C/T ratio significantly increased after both 3 and 6 months, from 3.39:1 to 6.96:1 (p < 0.001). Self-perception questionnaires indicated high satisfaction with hair improvements. Conclusions: This single-arm pilot study suggests that the novel, drinkable food supplement improves hair density and hair shedding in women experiencing TE and underscores the potential of supplement intervention for managing female hair thinning, mainly by reducing TE through increased density of growing hairs. Whilst these preliminary results are encouraging, we recognize that a larger, placebo-controlled, blinded, randomized trial using the product is necessary to corroborate these findings and further explore the underlying hair cycle effects. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 1186 KB  
Review
Ophthalmologic Comorbidities in Alopecia Areata
by Piedad M. Guavita Falla, Diego Buendía-Castaño, Ángela Hermosa-Gelbard, Bárbara Burgos-Blasco, Patricia Burgos-Blasco, Sergio Vañó-Galván and David Saceda-Corralo
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(23), 8409; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14238409 - 27 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1057
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is a complex disease with a multifactorial etiology, in which autoimmune mechanisms play a central role. Increasing evidence suggests that AA may be a systemic condition, potentially affecting organs beyond the skin due to shared pathogenic pathways. One proposed mechanism [...] Read more.
Alopecia areata (AA) is a complex disease with a multifactorial etiology, in which autoimmune mechanisms play a central role. Increasing evidence suggests that AA may be a systemic condition, potentially affecting organs beyond the skin due to shared pathogenic pathways. One proposed mechanism is the breakdown of immune privilege, a protective state that limits immune activity in specific tissues, such as the hair follicle and the eye. Although research on the relationship between AA and ophthalmic comorbidities remains limited, several studies have reported recurrent ocular abnormalities, whether subclinical or symptomatic, appearing at younger ages than typically observed in the general population. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the association between AA and ocular involvement, exploring shared pathogenic mechanisms, clinical eye manifestations, and practical considerations for addressing ocular symptoms in dermatological practice. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop