Examining Hair Preservation in Manual vs. Machine Scalp Cooling by Chemotherapy Regimen: A Meta-Analysis

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

9-2024

Publication Title

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Abstract

Background: To date, few studies the success of hair preservation of the two types of scalp cooling equipment: 1) manual cold caps (MCC) and 2) scalp cooling systems (SCS) [1-3]. SCS, which deliver constant coolant, are maintained by the infusion center [4]. Comparatively, patients bring MCC on dry ice and require assistance with cap preparation and placement [3,4]. Considering the differences in availability and application, a meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of MCC and SCS for reducing chemotherapy-induced alopecia was performed. Methods: PubMed(Medline), Cochrane, and Embase were searched for studies conducted from January 1997 to January 2022. Random effects meta-analysis was used to assess success proportions for participants receiving MCC and SCS. Results: Of the 32 studies included (MCC[n=5], SCS[n=26], both[n=1]), 5 (15.6%) were RCT, 5 (15.6%) were NRCT, and 22 (68.8%) were PCS. There was no significant effect of MCC (n=384) vs SCS (n=3,078) on success rate among patients receiving anthracycline (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 0.47 to 4.11, p = 0.6) or non-anthracycline regimens (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 0.71 to 8.37, p = 0.2). There was however a higher success rate during non-anthracycline chemotherapies for both MCC (OR = 5.03, 95% CI = 1.94 to 13, p < 0.001) and SCS (OR = 2.87, 95% CI = 2.08 to 3.97, p < 0.001). Conclusion: We found that the effectiveness of scalp hypothermia in reducing alopecia remains dependent on the chemotherapy regimen and may be independent of type of scalp cooling equipment. Further studies directly comparing SCS and MCC are necessary for further evaluation.

Volume

91

Issue

3 Suppl

First Page

AB210

Comments

American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, March 8-12, 2024, San Diego, CA

DOI

10.1016/j.jaad.2024.07.83

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