The use of photobiomodulation therapy for the management of chemotherapy-induced alopecia: a randomized, controlled trial (HAIRLASER trial)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this trial was to evaluate if photobiomodulation (PBM) can accelerate hair regrowth after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients and if this is correlated with a better quality of life (QoL).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial with breast cancer patients that underwent an anthracycline and taxane-containing chemotherapy regimen was set up at the Jessa Hospital (Hasselt, Belgium). Patients were randomized into the control group (no intervention) or the PBM group (three PBM sessions each week for 12 weeks, starting the last day of their chemotherapy). Hair regrowth was evaluated based on photographic assessments. Two blinded researchers independently scored the hair regrowth using a numerical rating scale (NRS). In addition, the QoL was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment-QOL questionnaire and Breast Cancer-specific module (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23). Data were collected on the day of their last chemotherapy session and 1, 2, and 3 months post-chemotherapy.

Results: A total of 32 breast cancer patients were included in the trial between June 2020 and February 2022. Significantly higher NRS scores were observed in the PBM group at 1-month post-chemotherapy compared to baseline, whereas they remained constant in the control group. Patients allocated to the PBM group scored their global health significantly higher at all time points compared to the control.

Conclusion: Based on the results of the HAIRLASER trial, PBM seems to accelerate hair regrowth after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients resulting in an improved global health status and better body image. The study was registered in July 2019 at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04036994).