Will a glaucoma drug revolutionize the treatment of androgenetic alopecia? On drug repurposing, when the side effect becomes a desired therapeutic outcome.

Abstract

Prostaglandins are hormones found in almost all mammalian tissues. As signaling molecules, they play a key role in the regulation of many physiological processes, including hair growth cycle. The article describes the history of the discovery of prostaglandins, including the work of Professor Ryszard Gryglewski – the discoverer of prostacyclin. Particular attention was paid to the synthetic analogue of prostaglandin F2α - latanoprost. Indicated for the treatment of glaucoma, the drug is known for inducing eyelash growth as a side effect. A prodrug, latanoprost is converted to its active metabolite, latanoprost acid. Recent research demonstrated that latanoprost acid has a chance to become an effective alternative to minoxidil and finasteride - the only drugs currently registered for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. The development of anti-alopecia drugs containing prostaglandin derivatives, including latanoprost acid, will be a much faster process compared to the traditional path of product development based on a new chemical compound.