Gel Prevents Chemotherapy Hair Loss in Rats

“A clear gel rubbed on the scalps of rats was able to prevent hair loss from

chemotherapy, one of the most distressing side effects of cancer treatment, scientists said. A researcher for developer Glaxo Wellcome said the company hopes to start human tests of

the gel, which includes a drug known as GW8510, to see if it could help reduce the trauma of

chemotherapy.” Exciting news if true, but I’m skeptical. The drug apparently works by seeping into hair follicles and temporarily inhibiting their cell division, which means they are spared by chemotherapy drugs which essentially work by targeting fast-growing and -dividing cells throughout the body. Because the new gel is topical, it will not affect the internal targeted cancer cells. But could the cure be worse than the disease? Can we really turn cell replication on and off with precision?