New drug may stop scalp scarring and hair loss
NCT ID NCT07396168
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tests nemolizumab, a drug already approved for other skin conditions, in 10 adults with lichen planopilaris (LPP), a disease that causes permanent hair loss and scalp itching or burning. The goal is to see if the drug can reduce disease activity and improve symptoms over 24 weeks. Participants receive injections of nemolizumab and are monitored for changes in hair loss and itch severity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Nemolizumab (a drug injected under the skin)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for lichen planopilaris, a condition that causes permanent hair loss and scalp discomfort.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 10 people, so results may not apply to everyone. It is also early-stage, and the drug may not work or could have side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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About 10 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years. * Clinical and/or histopathologic diagnosis of LPP. * Presence of scalp pruritus. * Average Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (PP-NRS) score ≥4 in the 7 days prior to Day 1. * Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures. * Willingness to undergo optional scalp biopsy for research purposes. Exclusion Criteria: * Other forms of alopecia that may interfere with study assessments. * Any systemic disease associated with hair loss. * Inflammatory or infectious scalp disease that may interfere with the study. * Any other conditions associated with pruritus. * Prior use of nemolizumab. * Current treatment with systemic or topical JAK inhibitors or biologics (unless appropriate washout period completed; minimum 12 weeks). * Current treatment with DMARDs (unless appropriate washout period completed; minimum 12 weeks). * Prior treatment failure of scarring alopecia with systemic or topical JAK inhibitors or * biologics. * Current treatment with topical or intralesional corticosteroids (unless appropriate washout period completed; minimum 4 weeks). * Any other current treatments for hair loss (e.g., oral/topical minoxidil, PRP) unless stable for at least 6 months or 3 months washout completed. * Allergy or hypersensitivity to nemolizumab or any excipients. * Pregnancy or unwillingness to use highly effective contraception. * Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with study participation or interpretation of results.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The Skin Center Dermatology Group
RECRUITINGNew City, New York, 10956, United States