Safety and Efficacy of Bimatoprost Solution 0.03% Topical Application in Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Eyelash Loss

Abstract

Few dermatologic conditions carry as much anxiety and emotional distress as hair loss resulting from a disease condition such as alopecia areata or as a result of cytotoxic drug treatment, e.g., after chemotherapy. Bimatoprost 0.03% solution is a Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription product indicated for the treatment of eyelash hypotrichosis. The product was investigated in a double-masked, randomized, and placebo-controlled study in patients who had significant eyelash loss or hypotrichosis as a result of chemotherapy. Once-daily treatment with bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% to the upper eyelid margin restored eyelash growth and prominence more quickly than the slower, natural course of recovery observed in the vehicle control subjects. The eyelash prominence measured using a validated Global Eyelash Assessment (GEA) scale demonstrated a statistically significant increase over placebo following 6 months of treatment. Efficacy was also demonstrated using a validated objective digital image analysis methodology to show significant increase in eyelash length, thickness/fullness, and darkness in these patients. Bimatoprost was found to be well tolerated over the 1-year treatment period.