Topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose Hydrogel Versus Minoxidil 5% Solution for Androgenetic Alopecia

NCT07502976 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: MD-390-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of hair loss that can affect quality of life. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR) hydrogel compared with topical minoxidil 5% solution in the treatment of mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia in adults aged 18 to 50 years. Sixty participants will be randomized into 2 treatment groups. The 2dDR group will apply 1 gram of topical 2dDR hydrogel once daily to the affected scalp areas for 6 months. The minoxidil group will apply topical minoxidil 5% solution to the affected scalp areas for 6 months according to sex-specific dosing in the protocol. Participants will undergo clinical assessment, trichoscopic evaluation, and standardized scalp photography at baseline, Week 12, and Week 24. The study will also assess tissue vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels using scalp biopsy specimens obtained at baseline and after 3 months of treatment in both groups. Safety will be evaluated through adverse event monitoring and clinical scalp examination during follow-up visits.

Conditions

Androgenic Alopecia

Keywords

Male Pattern Hair Loss; Female Pattern Hair Loss; 2-Deoxy-D-ribose; 2dDR Hydrogel; Hair Loss; Trichoscopy; VEGF

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Terminal Hair Density

  Change in terminal hair density in the predefined trichoscopic assessment areas after 12 weeks of treatment, compared between the topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose hydrogel group and the topical minoxidil 5% solution group.

  Baseline to Week 12

• Change in Total Hair Density

  Change in total hair density in the predefined trichoscopic assessment areas after 12 weeks of treatment, compared between the topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose hydrogel group and the topical minoxidil 5% solution group.

  Baseline to Week 12

• Change in Tissue VEGF Level

  Change in tissue vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels from baseline to Week 12, measured using scalp biopsy specimens in both treatment groups.

  Baseline to Week 12

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Change in Terminal Hair Density at Week 24

  Baseline to Week 24

• Change in Total Hair Density at Week 24

  Baseline to Week 24

• Global Photographic Assessment

  Week 12 and Week 24

• Patient Global Assessment

  Week 12 and Week 24

• Patient Satisfaction Score

  Week 12 and Week 24

Study Arms (2)

Topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose Hydrogel

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm will apply 1 gram (2 fingertip units) of topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose hydrogel once daily to the targeted scalp areas for 6 months.

Drug: Topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose Hydrogel

Topical Minoxidil 5% Solution

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to this arm will apply topical minoxidil 5% solution to the targeted scalp areas for 6 months. Male participants will apply 1 cc twice daily, and female participants will apply 1 cc once daily.

Drug: Topical Minoxidil 5% Solution

Interventions

Topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose Hydrogel DRUG

Topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose hydrogel prepared with sodium alginate. The hydrogel will be composed of sodium alginate, propylene glycol, 2-phenoxyethanol, and 2-Deoxy-D-ribose in water. Participants will apply 1 gram once daily to targeted scalp areas for 6 months.

Topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose Hydrogel

Topical Minoxidil 5% Solution DRUG

Topical minoxidil 5% solution administered to targeted scalp areas for 6 months. Male participants will apply 1 cc twice daily, and female participants will apply 1 cc once daily.

Topical Minoxidil 5% Solution

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 to 50 years.
• Male and female patients with androgenetic alopecia.
• Mild to moderate disease severity, defined as Hamilton-Norwood scale II to V in males and Ludwig scale I to II in females.
• Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Other types of hair loss, including inflammatory or scarring alopecia.
• Psoriasis.
• Inflammatory scalp dermatoses.
• History of severe systemic disease, including renal, cardiovascular, or hepatic disease.
• Chemotherapy during the last 5 years.
• Pregnancy.
• Lactation.
• Bleeding disorders.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kasr El Aini Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kasr El Aini Hospital

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, 11555, Egypt

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alopecia

Interventions

Minoxidil; Solutions

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hypotrichosis; Hair Diseases; Skin Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Piperidines; Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds; Pyrimidines; Pharmaceutical Preparations

Central Study Contacts

HEBA AHMED

CONTACT

+201016532351; heba.a.abdelgayed@kasralainy.edu.eg

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer of Dermatology

Model Details: Participants are randomized in a parallel assignment design to 1 of 2 treatment groups: topical 2-Deoxy-D-ribose hydrogel or topical minoxidil 5% solution.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 25, 2026
• First Posted: March 31, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)