RecruitingNot Applicable

Serum Ferroptosis Biomarkers (GPX4, MDA) in Alopecia Areata

Turkey (Türkiye)156 participantsStarted 2026-06-01

Plain-language summary

This study aims to investigate the potential role of the ferroptosis pathway in the pathogenesis and clinical course of Alopecia Areata (AA). Serum concentrations of two key ferroptosis biomarkers-Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a primary antioxidant enzyme protecting against lipid peroxidation, and Malondialdehyde (MDA), a major end-product of lipid membrane damage-will be quantitatively measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. A total of 156 participants will be enrolled, consisting of 104 patients diagnosed with Alopecia Areata (subdivided into acute and chronic cohorts) and 52 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum biomarker levels will be statistically compared among the groups to determine their diagnostic value. Furthermore, these biomarker levels will be correlated with clinical disease extension evaluated via the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score and objective trichoscopic activity findings (such as black dots, yellow dots, and exclamation mark hairs). The ultimate goal of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate whether serum GPX4 and MDA can serve as reliable objective biomarkers for monitoring disease severity, staging, and trichoscopic activity in Alopecia Areata management.The ultimate goal of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate whether serum GPX4 and MDA can serve as reliable objective biomarkers for monitoring disease severity, staging, and trichoscopic activity in Alopecia Areata management.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged between 18 and 65 years. * Formally diagnosed with Alopecia Areata based on clinical and trichoscopic examination. * Healthy volunteers with no personal or family history of alopecia or any systemic inflammatory/autoimmune conditions (for the healthy control group). * Patients who have provided written informed consent before any study-related procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Use of topical corticosteroids, intralesional steroid injections, or topical calcineurin inhibitors within the last 1 month. * Use of systemic immunosuppressive therapies, systemic corticosteroids, or JAK inhibitors within the last 3 months. * Presence of any other co-existing active autoimmune or inflammatory skin diseases (e.g., Psoriasis, Vitiligo, or active autoimmune thyroiditis with elevated TSH levels). * History of malignancy, active severe infection, chronic hepatic failure, or chronic renal failure. * Pregnancy or lactation. * History of heavy smoking or uncontrolled/regular use of antioxidant or vitamin supplements (e.g., Vitamin E, Vitamin C, CoQ10, NMN, resveratrol).

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Serum GPX4 Levels

Timeframe: Baseline

Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels

Timeframe: Baseline

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07733063

SponsorIstanbul Training and Research Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-01

Contact for this trial

Esra Selin Kaya, MD

+905330257301 kayaeselin@gmail.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Alopecia Areata(AA) trials