Baldness Protein Found in Study That May Lead to Treatments
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Male-pattern baldness may be caused by a protein in the scalp, according to research that raises the possibility drugs being tested by Merck & Co. and Actelion Ltd. for other uses might prevent hair loss.
Bald spots had an excessive amount of a protein called prostaglandin D2 or PGD2, according to a study in Science Translational Medicine. Merck’s experimental treatment for facial flushing and Actelion’s allergy compound, both in late-stage studies, block the protein.