Dr. Taleb Barghouthi was recently invited to present his pioneering Verteporfin trial at the World FUE Institute Workshop in Casablanca, Morocco which has sparked much interest amongst his peers regarding future hair regenerative treatments.
Verteporfin is an FDA approved drug primarily used for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, which is an eye disease that can blur your central vision. Verteporfin works by preventing the pathway to scarring, specifically Engrailed-1 fibroblasts. In its inactive form, it acts as an inhibitor of the Yes-associated protein (YAP) which has been identified as one of the main drivers of the signalling cascade which leads to the formation of scarring fibroblasts in humans. Scar tissue lacks hair and sebaceous glands, and other dermal appendages such as the hair matrix and dermal papilla necessary for hair growth to happen. Verteporfin aims to treat scarring by influencing these three key factors, promoting regrowth of the dermal matrix structures and appendages (normal skin and hair follicle growth) which may lead to hair regeneration.
Stay tuned for the latest developments surrounding Verteporfin and hair regenerative science as Dr. Barghouthi moves into new trials soon on Harley Street.
