The search for better hair loss treatments continues to be one of the most active areas in dermatology research. Despite the fact that androgenetic alopecia affects roughly half of all adults, treatment options remain limited and imperfect. Currently, the only FDA-approved treatments are minoxidil and finasteride, both of which carry significant drawbacks and limitations. That’s why whenever a promising new compound emerges it generates huge interest. Joining the growing list of experimental hair loss treatments alongside VDPHL01, PP405 and deoxyribose sugar gel is the novel peptide MLPH. Developed by Korean researchers, MLPH has been designed to promote hair growth without the side effects that plague existing treatments. In this article, we explore what MLPH is, the science behind it and whether it could become a viable hair loss treatment in the future.
What is MLPH?
MLPH is a novel peptide developed by a collaboration between researchers at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) and Kyungpook National University Medical School in South Korea. They designed the peptide using computer-based structural modelling with the aim of creating a hair growth treatment that works without the side effects associated with current treatments.
The concept behind MLPH stems from research into erythropoietin (EPO). EPO is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that whose primary role is making red blood cells. However, research has also shown that EPO and its receptor signalling also play a role in hair follicle biology and can stimulate hair growth. The problem is that using EPO directly for hair loss could cause serious side effects like excessive red blood cell production. This is where MLPH comes in. Using computer-aided drug design, the team essentially stripped away the parts of EPO responsible for triggering blood cell production whilst preserving only the components that promote hair growth. The result is a peptide that in theory offers the hair growth benefits of EPO without its dangerous haematological effects.
How Does MLPH Work?
To understand how MLPH promotes hair growth, it helps to understand the hair growth cycle. Hair follicles cycle through phases of active growth (anagen), regression (catagen) and rest (telogen). In conditions like male and female pattern hair loss, follicles progressively spend more time in the resting phase and less time growing. Over time, they miniaturise and eventually stop producing visible hair.
MLPH appears to work by boosting the secretion of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in hair follicle tissue. IGF-1 is an important growth factor which plays numerous roles. In the scalp, the dermal papilla cells secrete it. It plays a central role in hair follicle biology by promoting cell proliferation, improving blood supply to the follicle, extending the anagen phase and preventing premature follicle regression. In male and female pattern hair loss, IGF-1 levels in the scalp tend to be lower which contributes to follicle miniaturisation and thinning.
By significantly increasing IGF-1 secretion, MLPH essentially seeks to reactivate dormant hair follicles that have become stuck in the telogen (resting) phase and push them back into active growth. This is a similar mechanism to how minoxidil works albeit through a different pathway and hence should reduce some of the systemic risks of minoxidil like low blood pressure. Additionally, unlike finasteride which works by blocking DHT, MLPH does not interact with this hormonal pathway at all. As such, it is less to carry the same hormonal side effects of existing drugs.
What Does the Evidence Show?
According to the published data, MLPH significantly increased IGF-1 secretion in both human hair follicle lab experiments and animal studies. The peptide successfully reactivated dormant telogen phase follicles pushing them into the active growth stage. The researchers reported that the hair growth effects were comparable to minoxidil. Crucially, there were no haematological side effects such as higher red blood cell production during testing.
However, it’s important to put this in context. Whilst the results are encouraging, the research is still at a preclinical stage. The experiments involved human hair follicle tissue in the lab and animal models rather than full clinical trials in human patients. We know from experience that results in animal studies don’t always translate directly to humans. There are no head-to-head comparisons with existing treatments in real patients and no long-term safety data yet. As with other promising compounds like deoxyribose sugar and PP405, we really need larger scale human clinical trials before we can draw firm conclusions about efficacy and safety.
Benefits & Possible Risks of MLPH for Hair Regrowth
Despite being at an early stage, the concept behind MLPH is genuinely compelling and addresses some of the main frustrations with current hair loss treatments. Based on the published research, the potential benefits of MLPH include:
- Non-hormonal mechanism: Unlike finasteride and dutasteride which work by blocking DHT, MLPH works through the IGF-1 pathway. This means it likely avoids the androgen blocking hormonal side effects such as sexual dysfunction. These are a significant concern with existing treatments.
- Suitability for both sexes: MLPH could potentially be available as a treatment for both men and women. This is crucial as oral finasteride is only licensed for male pattern hair loss. Sadly, treatment options for female pattern hair loss remain particularly limited.
- Comparable efficacy to minoxidil: Early data suggests hair growth effects on par with minoxidil. This is the current first-line treatment for most people with pattern hair loss which increases blood flow to the scalp. MLPH however, appears to act through dermal papilla EPOR signalling and IGF-1 biology. This is a more direct follicular pathway and hence could potentially be more effective.
As with any experimental compound, there are also potential risks and unknowns. Possible concerns about MLPH include:
- Very early stage research: The data so far comes from lab-based and animal studies. We do not yet have clinical trial data from human patients which is essential for confirming both efficacy and safety.
- Unknown long-term safety profile: The mouse studies show there is no significant effects on the haematological system. That is very different from proving there are no systemic, local or delayed side effects in humans., we don’t yet know whether there are other side effects that might emerge with prolonged use. IGF-1 plays roles in many tissues beyond the hair follicle. As such we don’t know if there are long-term effects of boosting its activity in the scalp.
- No established dosing or delivery method: It is not yet clear how you would need to administer MLPH as a treatment. Further research is necessary to find out if it would work best as a topical, injection or oral formulation.
- Translation uncertainty: The gap between preclinical promise and clinical reality is significant. Many compounds that show exciting results in the lab do not ultimately make it through full human trials.
- Pattern hair loss is multifactorial: Even if MLPH works, androgenetic alopecia is not a simple one-pathway problem. It involves genetics, hormones, follicle miniaturisation and time. This is the reason that there is still no universal winner in androgenetic hair loss medicine.
When Will MLPH Be Available for Hair Loss?
MLPH is currently at the preclinical research stage having been tested in laboratory settings and animal models. Before it can become available as a treatment, it needs to go through several phases of clinical trials in humans. This is to establish safety, optimal dosing and real-world effectiveness. Following successful trials, it would then require regulatory approval. This would be from from bodies such as the MHRA in the UK or FDA in the United States.
This process typically takes many years even in the best-case scenario. Realistically, even if clinical trials begin soon and produce positive results, MLPH is unlikely to be available as a licensed treatment for several years. It is also worth noting that 80% of promising compounds do not pass human testing.
Alternatives for Androgenetic Alopecia
MLPH is still in development and even if eventually approved may not be suitable for everyone. There are however a number of effective treatments for pattern hair loss currently available. Below are the main alternatives to MLPH for hair loss treatment:
- Minoxidil: This remains the first-line treatment for most people with pattern hair loss. It is widely available as a topical over the counter treatment. It can also be prescribed in higher strengths, compounded formulas or oral form.
- DHT & Androgen Blockers: Oral finasteride is one of the most effective licensed treatments for male pattern hair loss. However, it carries some potential serious side effects. Alternatives such as topical finasteride, dutasteride or spironolactone are also available as unlicensed compounded prescription treatments. These may carry lower risks of systemic side effects but do not eliminate them.
- Combination therapy: Many people benefit from using more than one treatment for hair loss. A common approach is combining minoxidil with a DHT-blocker, tretinoin and melatonin to help boost hair growth. Adjunct procedures like microneedling and LLLT helmets can also help support the actions of hair growth treatments.
MLPH is an interesting addition to the growing list of experimental hair loss treatments currently being explored and the early data is promising. Much like VDPHL01, deoxyribose sugar gel, Breezula and stem cell therapies, it has generated understandable interest. The idea of a peptide that stimulates hair growth without its side effects is worthy of excitement. As is the fact that it could be suitable for both men and women. However, it is still very early days and substantial clinical research is needed before we know whether MLPH will live up to its potential. For now, it’s another encouraging sign that the field of hair loss research is becoming more innovative but patience is needed whilst the science catches up with the hype.
We believe in a personalised approach to hair care which is why we offer personalised topical hair growth treatments for women and men with male pattern hair loss through our online skin clinic. Our doctors create custom hair growth serums using actives such as Minoxidil, Finasteride, Dutasteride, Spironolactone, Melatonin, Caffeine and Tretinoin where appropriate. Start your virtual consultation and begin your journey to great hair today.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional with any concerns about your hair or treatment options.
