Alabama Scientists Probe Immunotherapy to Reverse Grey Hair After Cancer Patients Regain Pigment
Updated
Updated · New York Post · Jul 2
Alabama Scientists Probe Immunotherapy to Reverse Grey Hair After Cancer Patients Regain Pigment
1 articles · Updated · New York Post · Jul 2
Summary
University of Alabama researchers are isolating immunotherapy effects on hair pigment after Spanish doctors saw lung cancer patients regain color while taking drugs such as Keytruda, Opdivo and Tecentriq.
Those treatments appear to reactivate stem-cell repair pathways that support melanocytes, the follicle cells that produce melanin and fade with age, stress and genetics.
Human testing has not begun, leaving months at minimum before scientists know whether the approach can work beyond cancer treatment or be adapted for routine grey-hair reversal.
Greying is widespread well before age 50: a 2012 study found fewer than 25% of people have significant grey hair by then, though nearly 90% show some pigment loss.