Hair loss showdown: can a chemo drug gel beat minoxidil for alopecia areata?
NCT ID NCT07459933
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a gel containing methotrexate, an immune-suppressing drug, can regrow hair in people with localized alopecia areata better than minoxidil spray. About 268 adults with less than 25% scalp hair loss will apply one of the two treatments twice daily for 24 weeks. The main goal is to see how much hair regrows using a standard scalp measurement tool.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- topical methotrexate 1% gel and minoxidil 5% spray
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new topical treatment option for patchy hair loss from alopecia areata, potentially with fewer side effects than systemic drugs.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 4 trial, but it hasn't started recruiting yet. Results may show no clear benefit over existing treatments, and topical methotrexate could cause skin irritation or other local 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
-
Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
-
About 268 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Mar 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Sep 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 50 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: Patients aged 18 to 50 years. Patients of either gender. * Patients diagnosed with localized alopecia areata, defined as one or more smooth, well-circumscribed patches of non-scarring hair loss on the scalp with less than 25% scalp involvement, assessed using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. * Patients not previously treated with topical methotrexate or minoxidil for alopecia areata. * Patients willing to provide written informed consent and comply with follow-up visits. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with other types of alopecia, including androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, or scarring alopecia. * Patients with systemic diseases that may influence hair growth or treatment response, such as uncontrolled thyroid disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, or autoimmune connective tissue disorders. * Pregnant or lactating women. * Patients who have used topical or systemic treatment for alopecia areata within the past 3 months. * Patients with known hypersensitivity or allergy to methotrexate or minoxidil.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Alopecia areata are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
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.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can an oral drug tame hair loss? 7,500-Patient study tracks ritlecitinib in real life
- A glow of hope: UV imaging may reveal how well hair loss treatment will work
- Can we predict the path of chronic skin disease?
- Can a new pill help teens regrow hair lost to alopecia?
- Can allergy and glaucoma drugs regrow hair when delivered by microneedling?
- Can a daily pill bring back hair in severe alopecia?