Introduction

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), commonly referred to as male or female pattern baldness, is the most prevalent cause of hair loss worldwide. It affects nearly 50% of men and women by the age of 50, with a progressive onset that begins as early as the teenage years in some individuals. AGA is characterized by the miniaturization of hair follicles due to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on genetically susceptible follicles, leading to a gradual thinning of hair and eventual baldness in affected regions. This condition not only alters physical appearance but also significantly impacts psychological well-being, self-esteem, and overall quality of life, making it a major concern for affected individuals. 1

Current treatment modalities for AGA aim to slow progression, stimulate hair regrowth, or both. Widely used therapies include topical minoxidil and oral finasteride. While these options have demonstrated efficacy, they often come with limitations such as side effects, inconsistent results, and the need for long-term adherence to maintain their effects. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has also gained popularity as a minimally invasive option. PRP utilizes autologous platelets to release growth factors that stimulate hair follicle activity and improve vascularization. However, PRP outcomes are highly dependent on patient variability and platelet quality, leading to inconsistent treatment responses. These challenges underscore the need for alternative, more reliable, and standardized therapies. 1, 2, 3

QR678 Neo – short for "Quick Response to a disease which earlier had no answer" – represents a novel approach in the treatment of hair loss. It is an advanced hair growth formulation comprising biomimetic peptides that mimic the functions of naturally occurring growth factors involved in hair follicle stimulation and angiogenesis. Key components include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), all of which play critical roles in hair follicle cycling and vascular support. Unlike PRP, QR678 Neo ensures consistent and standardized efficacy, as it is not dependent on individual patient factors such as platelet quality. This attribute addresses a significant limitation of PRP and other autologous treatments. 4, 5, 6

Recent studies have highlighted QR678 Neo's effectiveness in various forms of alopecia. Kapoor et al.7 demonstrated its potential in treating chemotherapy-induced hair loss, while Shome et al.8 reported its success in addressing female pattern hair loss. These findings underscore QR678 Neo’s versatility and effectiveness across diverse patient populations. However, while QR678 Neo has shown promising results, direct comparisons with established treatments like PRP remain limited in scope.

This study aims to bridge this gap by conducting a direct comparison of QR678 Neo and PRP in patients with AGA. Specifically, the study seeks to evaluate the efficacy and safety of QR678 Neo relative to PRP in promoting hair regrowth, improving hair density, and enhancing patient satisfaction. By exploring the advantages and limitations of both treatments, this research aims to provide robust evidence to guide clinical decision-making and optimize outcomes for individuals affected by androgenetic alopecia.

Materials and Methods

Results

Secondary outcomes

1. Hair quality

   1. Patients treated with QR678 Neo reported thicker and smoother hair strands, with consistent improvements noted across the group. (Figure 1)

   2. The PRP group experienced moderate improvements in hair quality, but with less uniform results.(Figure 2)

2. Reduction in Hair Fall

   1. Hair pull tests were negative in 90% of patients treated with QR678 Neo, indicating a substantial reduction in hair fall.

   2. In comparison, only 60% of PRP-treated patients had negative hair pull tests, suggesting a less effective reduction in hair fall.

These outcomes collectively highlight QR678 Neo's superior efficacy compared to PRP in treating androgenetic alopecia. (Figure 3)

Figure 1

QR678 Neo– before treatment and after 6 months of treatment

Figure 2

PRP– before treatment and after 6 months of treatment

Figure 3

Comparison of hair density increases between QR678 Neo and PRP treatments and VAS scores and hair fall reduction percentages for QR678 Neo and PRP groups.]

Discussion

QR678 Neo’s formulation capitalizes on biomimetic peptides designed to mimic the actions of naturally occurring growth factors. VEGF enhances blood vessel formation around hair follicles, ensuring optimal nutrient supply. IGF-1 promotes cellular proliferation, delaying follicular apoptosis, while bFGF initiates and sustains the anagen phase. These mechanisms are supported by earlier research on the role of growth factors in hair follicle biology. 4, 3, 5, 9

The findings of this study highlight the superiority of QR678 Neo over PRP in promoting hair regrowth and improving patient satisfaction. The 30% improvement in hair density observed with QR678 Neo significantly outperformed the 18% improvement achieved with PRP (p < 0.01). These results align with earlier studies such as those by Kapoor and Shome, which demonstrated QR678 Neo’s consistent efficacy in various forms of alopecia, including female pattern hair loss and chemotherapy-induced alopecia. 1, 4, 10 Unlike PRP, which relies on patient-derived platelets, QR678 Neo’s biomimetic peptides ensure a standardized response, addressing variability issues often associated with PRP treatments. 2, 11

Patient satisfaction, measured through a visual analog scale, was markedly higher in the QR678 Neo group (mean score 9.2/10) compared to the PRP group (mean score 7.8/10). This corroborates findings from Shome et al., who reported superior patient-reported outcomes with QR678 Neo in randomized trials. 3 The higher satisfaction scores can be attributed to QR678 Neo’s ability to promote uniform hair regrowth and improve hair strand quality. In contrast, PRP treatments, as noted by Bhargava et al., often yield less predictable outcomes due to variations in platelet concentration and growth factor activation. 2 Additionally, studies by Li et al. further validate the predictable outcomes of biomimetic peptides compared to PRP. 7, 12

In terms of safety, QR678 Neo demonstrated an excellent profile, with no adverse effects reported during the trial. Cytotoxicity studies conducted by Shome et al. further confirmed the formulation’s biocompatibility, making it a safer alternatIve to PRP, which occasionally causes scalp irritation or inflammation due to the variability in platelet quality. 3, 7 This consistent safety profile positions QR678 Neo as a viable treatment option for patients with autoimmune disorders or sensitivity to conventional therapies. Studies such as those by Kapoor et al. have emphasized the importance of safety in therapeutic innovations for alopecia. 10, 13

These findings are consistent with the broader literature, which has increasingly emphasized the limitations of PRP in terms of patient variability and inconsistent outcomes. Studies by Yano et al. and Philpott et al. have underscored the importance of growth factors like VEGF and IGF-1 in promoting angiogenesis and follicular stimulation, mechanisms that QR678 Neo directly targets through its peptide formulation. 6, 8, 9 By contrast, PRP treatments are contingent on individual platelet quality, as highlighted by Kapoor et al., leading to variable results that complicate their clinical application. 1, 2, 11

While this study provides robust evidence supporting QR678 Neo’s efficacy, it is not without limitations. The retrospective nature of the study and the sample size of 70 participants, while larger than many prior studies, may still limit generalizability. Additionally, the follow-up period was relatively short, and cost considerations were not addressed. Larger-scale studies with extended observation periods are essential to validate these results and assess long-term efficacy. Exploring the cost-effectiveness of QR678 Neo relative to other emerging therapies such as stem cell treatments or laser-assisted hair regrowth could further substantiate its clinical utility. Bhargava et al. have previously noted the need for comparative studies to assess the economic feasibility of such innovative therapies in routine clinical practice. 2, 14, 15

Future research should also explore the broader application of QR678 Neo for other types of alopecia and in more diverse patient populations, encompassing variations in age, ethnicity, and hair type. Additionally, emerging technologies like Biotin-enriched PRP, GFC, stem cell treatments, and laser-based modalities could provide deeper insights into effective combination therapies for hair restoration. Exploring the long-term sustainability of results, particularly in comparison with advanced techniques like exosome therapy, may also add depth to the existing literature.

In conclusion, the biomimetic approach of QR678 Neo circumvents the variability and limitations inherent to PRP, providing a consistent and predictable therapeutic option. These findings, together with supporting evidence from prior studies, suggest that QR678 Neo could redefine the standards for hair restoration therapy.

Conclusion

QR678 Neo represents a significant advancement in hair restoration, out per forming PRP in promoting hair density, quality, and patient satisfaction. Its biomimetic peptide formulation ensures consistent efficacy and safety, establishing it as a superior therapeutic option for androgenetic alopecia. However, further research is warranted to explore its broader applications and confirm its long-term benefits in diverse patient populations.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical committee clearance was not obtained for this study as it is a retrospective analysis of data collected from July 2023 to July 2024. All patient data were anonymized, and the study adhered to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.