Topical or Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss in Breast Cancer Patients

This study is looking at whether minoxidil, a drug that can help with hair growth, can treat hair loss caused by endocrine therapy in patients with stage I-IV breast cancer. Many women on endocrine therapy (like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors) experience hair loss, which can be distressing. Researchers want to see if taking minoxidil by mouth works as well as applying it to the scalp. This early-phase study will also look at how safe and tolerable low-dose oral minoxidil is. You may be able to join if you are a woman aged 18 or older with breast cancer (stages I-IV), are on endocrine therapy, and have noticed hair loss since starting treatment. The main goal is to see how consistently participants take or apply their assigned medication over 12 months.

Study design
This is an interventional study where 50 participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one applying minoxidil foam to the scalp, and the other taking minoxidil by mouth.
What's involved
You would either apply minoxidil foam to your scalp once daily or take minoxidil by mouth once daily for up to 12 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study will measure how consistently you take or apply your medication for up to 12 months.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05417308

Topical or Oral Minoxidil for the Treatment of Endocrine Therapy-Induced Alopecia in Patients With Stage I-IV Breast Cancer

Recruiting
EARLY_PHASE1Ages 18+InterventionalTreatment
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
~50 participants
Updated 2026-03-10 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:MinoxidilQuality-of-Life AssessmentQuestionnaire Administration

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Proportion of days assigned medication was taken/applied
Measured over Up to 12 months
Anatomic Stage I Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IA Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IB Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IIB Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IIIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IIIB Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IIIC Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Anatomic Stage IV Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Endocrine Therapy-Induced Alopecia
Prognostic Stage I Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IA Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IB Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IIB Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IIIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IIIB Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IIIC Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Prognostic Stage IV Breast Cancer AJCC v8
1 sites across 1 states
Ohio1
  • Brittany L Dulmage, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Women \>= 18 years of age
Established diagnosis of breast cancer stages I-IV
On endocrine therapy including tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors with or without concurrent use of ovarian function suppression
Self-reporting hair loss since starting endocrine therapy

Exclusion

Pregnant or nursing women
Current chemotherapy use or prior chemotherapy use within the last 2 years
History of scarring/cicatricial alopecia or alopecia areata
Prior use of oral or topical minoxidil
Prior or ongoing use of spironolactone
Known sensitivity to minoxidil
Untreated hypothyroidism or iron deficiency as determined by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) with reflex free T4 and ferritin level \> 40 to be checked at the time of enrolling if not completed in the 12 months prior
  • Proportion of days assigned medication was taken/appliedUp to 12 months

    For the oral minoxidil group, the proportion of pills taken will be reported with a 95% confidence interval. For the topical minoxidil group, the proportions of days medication was applied will be reported with a 95% confidence interval.