AT A GLANCE

This review highlights the therapeutic potential of follicle neogenesis and modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in stimulating hair regrowth. With investigational agents like PTD-DBM and supportive therapies such as low-level laser treatment, the future of alopecia care is poised to shift toward regenerative strategies.

Hair loss, long managed with limited pharmacologic tools, may soon face a renaissance thanks to cutting-edge therapies targeting the biology of follicle formation and regeneration. This review explores two promising strategies for alopecia: hair follicle neogenesis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling modulation—both of which challenge traditional limitations in regenerative dermatology.

Hair follicle neogenesis, once thought unachievable in adults, is now within reach due to breakthroughs in stem cell science and epithelial–mesenchymal crosstalk, offering new hope for conditions like androgenetic and scarring alopecias. In parallel, researchers have zeroed in on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway as a key regulator of the hair growth cycle. Pharmacologic activators of this pathway, including the peptide PTD-DBM, enhance follicle regrowth by blocking negative regulators like CXXC5. Early clinical evidence also supports the benefit of adjunctive treatments such as low-level laser therapy, which appear to amplify pathway-driven regrowth. While further studies are needed to assess long-term safety and durability, these strategies represent a fundamental shift in the treatment landscape—moving beyond symptom control to actual follicle regeneration.

"As we learn more about hair follicle microbiology and treatments, the next phase of hair restoration will depend on transferring our findings from preclinical models to clinical settings," write the authors. "With advancements made thus far, alopecia reversal and treatment in a safe, personalized, and effective manner is becoming increasingly within reach."

Reference: Mehta A, Motavaf M, Raza D, et al. Revolutionary Approaches to Hair Regrowth: Follicle Neogenesis, Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling, and Emerging Therapies. Cells. 2025;14(11):779. Published 2025 May 26. doi:10.3390/cells14110779

DRUG AT A GLANCE

PTD-DBM is an investigational peptide that promotes hair regrowth by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. It works by interfering with CXXC5, a suppressor protein that inhibits follicular regeneration. By restoring this pathway’s activity, PTD-DBM has demonstrated potential superiority to existing treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride, although its long-term efficacy and safety are still under investigation.