search
for
 About Bioline  All Journals  Testimonials  Membership  News


Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
Medknow Publications on behalf of The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL)
ISSN: 0378-6323 EISSN: 0973-3922
Vol. 74, Num. 4, 2008, pp. 401-402

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Vol. 74, No. 4, July-August, 2008, pp. 401-402

Letter To Editor

Topical dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) for alopecia areata: Revisited

Department of Dermatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka
Correspondence Address:Department of Dermatology, KMC, Manipal - 576 104, Udupi, Karnataka

Code Number: dv08177

Sir,

Treatment of alopecia areata with topical immunotherapy by contact sensitizers is an effective and accepted therapeutic modality in the treatment of chronic severe alopecia areata . [1],[2] The contact sensitizers used in alopecia areata are dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), diphenyl-cyclo-propenone (DPCP) [3] and squaric acid dibutyl ester (SADBE). We used DNCB in the treatment of chronic resistant alopecia areata. [4]

DNCB powder was dissolved in acetone and diluted in appropriate concentrations of 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% solutions. Solution was stored in dark bottles until use in room temperature. DNCB was applied using cotton buds. Sensitization was done by applying 2% DNCB over 4 x 4 cm area on back during the first visit. After 1 week, weekly applications of DNCB were done starting with lowest concentration (0.001%) to the affected area of hair loss. Patients were advised to avoid washing the area and protect it from sunlight for 48 hours. Applications of DNCB were repeated weekly with increasing concentrations. Aim was to produce moderate eczema. Mild to moderate eczema was maintained by titrating the DNCB concentrations. The patients were advised to inform about any side effects during the treatment period. If there was no sensitivity after 12 weeks, it was considered as treatment failure and the patient was withdrawn from the study.

A total of 22 patients were included in the study. The total duration of the study was 6 months. All the patients completed the study period. Out of 22 patients, 2 patients had only beard involvement, 8 had only scalp, 3 had ophiasis pattern, 5 had alopecia totalis and 4 had alopecia universalis. Complete hair growth with terminal hairs was seen in 8 (36.36%) patients and 4 patients did not respond at all. Remaining 10 patients had variable response. Side effects observed during the study period were hyperpigmentation, irritation, fever and lymphadenopathy. Six months of follow-up was done in 20 patients, 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Two patients with complete hair growth developed patchy hair loss after 3 months during the follow-up period.

The only disadvantage of DNCB is its mutagenicity by Ames test. However, drugs like norfloxacin, isoniazid and psoralen with ultraviolet A (PUVA) treatment, textile dyes and fumes of oils have also been found mutagenic by Ames test. [5],[6],[7] The most potent mutagenic agent in early trials of Ames test is parsnip juice. DNCB was found non-carcinogenic when fed in large doses in rats, mice, guinea pigs and man. Happle and Edternacht et al , [5] had a good response with DNCB. The effect was seen in all 7 patients with moderate hair loss, in 12 out of 13 patients with extensive hair loss and in 14 out of 23 patients with alopecia areata totalis. Treatment was successful in 26 out of 31 patients with a history of duration of disease 5 years or less and 7 out of 12 patients with history of more than 5 years. There is renewed interest in the immunomodulatory effects of topical DNCB in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and systemic lupus erythematosus. [7] During almost 10 years of topical DNCB therapy in HIV patients world wide, the only reported side effect has been localized dermatitis at the application site. [8] We believe that in view of the reports of efficacy of DNCB therapy, [9],[10] DNCB requires a relook as an option in alopecia areata rather than other contact sensitizers that are available only with difficulty and are expensive. [11]

References

1.Breuillard F, Szapiro I. Dinitrochlorobenzene in alopecia areata. Lancet 1978;2:1304.  Back to cited text no. 1    
2.Cotteril JA, Psychiatry and skin diseases. In: Rook AJ, Maibach HI,editors. Recentadvances in dermatology No.6. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1983. p. 189-212.  Back to cited text no. 2    
3.van der Steen PH, van Baar HM, Happle R, Boezeman JB, Perret CM. Prognostic factors in the treatment of alopecia areata with diphenylcyclopropenone. J Am Acad Dermatol 1991;24:227-30.  Back to cited text no. 3  [PUBMED]  
4.Warin AP. Dinitrochlorobenzene in alopecia areata. Lancet 1979;3:927.  Back to cited text no. 4    
5.Happle R, Echternacht K. Induction of hair growth in alopecia areata with DNCB. lancet 1977;2:1002-3.  Back to cited text no. 5  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
6.Rokhsar CK, Shupack JL, Vafai JJ, Washenik K. Efficacy of topical sensitizers in the treatment of alopecia areata. J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;39:751-61.  Back to cited text no. 6  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
7.Stricker RB, Elswood BF. Dendritic cells and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB): A new treatment approach to AIDS. Immunol Lett 1991:29:191-6.  Back to cited text no. 7    
8.Stricker RB, Elswood BF. Topical dinitrochlorobenzene in HIV disease. J Am Acad Dermatol 1993;28:796-7.  Back to cited text no. 8  [PUBMED]  
9.Singla A, Mittal RR, Walia RL, Bansal IJ. Comparative efficacy of topical DNCB and PUVASOL therapy in alopecia areata. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1991;57:284-6.  Back to cited text no. 9    
10.Khopkar U, Nigale V, Trasi SS, Wadhwa SL. Topical dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in alopecia areata. Indian J Dermatol 1990;35:103-6.  Back to cited text no. 10    
11.Singh G, Okade R, Naik C, Dayanand CD. Diphenylcyclopropenone immunotherapy in ophiasis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2007;73:432-3.  Back to cited text no. 11    

Copyright 2008 - Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology

Home Faq Resources Email Bioline
© Bioline International, 1989 - 2024, Site last up-dated on 01-Sep-2022.
Site created and maintained by the Reference Center on Environmental Information, CRIA, Brazil
System hosted by the Google Cloud Platform, GCP, Brazil