Alopecia AreataNCT07499713
Association of Serum VEGF-A and VCAM-1 Levels With Nailfold Capilleroscopic Alterations in Alopecia Areata
An observational study of Alopecia Areata and Alopecia Areata(AA), run by Istanbul Training and Research Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The goal of this observational study is to learn about microvascular changes and hair follicle activity in patients with alopecia areata. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do blood levels of markers related to blood vessel formation (VEGF-A) and inflammation (VCAM-1) differ between patients with alopecia… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Areata(AA), Alopecia Areata (AA)
- What is being tested?
- Microvascular Imaging, Biochemical Biomarker Analysis and Trichoscopic Imaging
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2026to 1 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: The study population consists of patients diagnosed with Alopecia Areata (AA) and healthy volunteers recruited from Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, a tertiary care dermatology outpatient clinic in Istanbul. The patient group is stratified into acute and chronic phenotypes based on disease duration. The healthy control group includes age- and sex-matched individuals with no history of hair, nail, or systemic vascular diseases.
Who may be able to join
- Age: Participants aged between 18 and 60 years.
- Diagnosis: Clinical and trichoscopic diagnosis of Alopecia Areata (AA) by a dermatologist.
- Categorization: "Acute" (<6 months duration) or "Chronic" (≥6 months duration) groups.
- Consent: Ability to provide written informed consent for participation in the study.
Who cannot join
- Medical History: Patients with a history of diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases, connective tissue diseases, chronic inflammatory or vascular diseases.
- Pregnancy \& Lactation: Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Lifestyle Factors: Active smoking or chronic alcohol use.
- Hair \& Nail Conditions: Causes of hair loss other than alopecia areata, the presence of any nail disease, or having had a manicure within the last 3 weeks.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul Education and Research Hospital
Istanbul
About this study
The goal of this observational study is to learn about microvascular changes and hair follicle activity in patients with alopecia areata. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do blood levels of markers related to blood vessel formation (VEGF-A) and inflammation (VCAM-1) differ between patients with alopecia areata and healthy individuals?
Read more
Is there a link between these blood markers and structural changes in the nailfold capillaries?
How do these markers relate to specific trichoscopic signs of disease activity (such as black dots or exclamation mark hairs) and the overall severity of hair loss (SALT score)?
Researchers will compare patients with alopecia areata (grouped by disease duration: acute <6 months vs. chronic >6 months) to healthy volunteers to see if there is a significant difference in systemic and local vascular indicators.
Participants will:
Undergo a trichoscopic scalp examination to identify markers of disease activity (black dots, yellow dots, exclamation mark hairs) and calculate the SALT score.
Have their nailfolds examined with a digital capillaroscope (50x) to detect microvascular alterations.
Provide a blood sample to measure the levels of VEGF-A and VCAM-1.
Read the detailed description
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune form of non-scarring hair loss. Although the exact cause is unknown, it is thought that inflammation and changes in the microvasculature (small blood vessels) play a significant role. This study aims to investigate the systemic and local vascular components of the disease.
The study includes 60 patients diagnosed with alopecia areata and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Patients are categorized into two groups based on disease duration:
Acute Group: Patients with a disease duration of less than 6 months.
Chronic Group: Patients with a disease duration of 6 months or longer.
Methodology and Procedures:
Dermatological and Trichoscopic Examination: All patients undergo a clinical examination using a Dermlite 5 dermatoscope. The severity of hair loss is calculated using the SALT (Severity of Alopecia Tool) score. Trichoscopic markers of disease activity, including black dots, yellow dots, exclamation mark hairs, broken hairs, vellus hairs, and pigtail hairs, are recorded according to Rudnicka's criteria.
Nailfold Capillaroscopy: To evaluate local microvascular alterations, nailfold capillaroscopy is performed using a Dino-Lite digital microscope (50x magnification). Examinations are conducted on the 2nd to 5th fingers of both hands after a 15-minute acclimatization period in a temperature-controlled room (20-23 °C). Morphological changes such as capillary dilatation, tortuosity, hemorrhages, and avascular areas are documented. An "abnormal pattern" is defined as the presence of two or more abnormalities in at least two fingers.
Biochemical Analysis: Venous blood samples are collected from all participants. After centrifugation, serum is separated and stored at -80 °C. Serum levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (VCAM-1) are measured using the ELISA method.
The study will analyze the correlation between these biochemical markers, trichoscopic activity signs, and capillaroscopic findings to better understand the vascular pathogenesis of alopecia areata across different disease stages.
- Conditions
- Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Areata(AA), Alopecia Areata (AA)
- Being tested
- Microvascular Imaging, Biochemical Biomarker Analysis, Trichoscopic Imaging
- Keywords
- alopecia areata, hair loss, vegf a, vcam 1, nfc, nailfold capilleroscopy, trichoscopy, nonscarring alopecia
- Medical subject headings
- Alopecia Areata, Alopecia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Microvascular ImagingDiagnostic test
Also called Nailfold Capillaroscopy, NVC
his intervention focuses on the integration of microvascular and biochemical markers to phenotype Alopecia Areata subgroups.
Biochemical Biomarker AnalysisDiagnostic test
Also called Serum VEGF-A, Serum VCAM-1
Collection of 5-10 mL venous blood samples. Serum is separated by centrifugation (3000 RPM, 10 min) and analyzed via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to determine the levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1.
Trichoscopic ImagingDiagnostic test
Also called Trichoscopy, Dermoscopy
his non-invasive procedure focuses on identifying specific trichoscopic patterns associated with Alopecia Areata activity, including yellow dots, black dots, exclamation mark hairs, and broken hairs.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Acute alopecia areata patients | Patients diagnosed with alopecia areata who have a disease duration of less than 6 months. Receives: Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging; Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis; Diagnostic Test: Trichoscopic Imaging | |
| Chronic alopecia areata patients | Patients diagnosed with alopecia areata who have a disease duration of 6 months or longer. Receives: Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging; Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis; Diagnostic Test: Trichoscopic Imaging | |
| Healthy Control Group | Age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers with no history of alopecia, other autoimmune disorders, or systemic inflammatory diseases. Receives: Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging; Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Serum Levels of VEGF-A and VCAM-1
Serum concentrations of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 will be measured to evaluate systemic vascular involvement and endothelial activation in patients with Alopecia Areata.
Measured: At enrollment (Baseline - Single time point)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Nailfold Capillaroscopic Patterns
Assessment of microvascular morphology (dilatation, tortuosity, hemorrhages) using a 50x digital microscope.
Measured: At enrollment
Correlation with SALT Score and Trichoscopic Signs
Evaluation of the relationship between serum biomarkers (VEGF-A, VCAM-1) and clinical severity (SALT score) or activity signs (exclamation mark hairs, black dots).
Measured: At enrollment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Alopecia AreataStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Training and Research Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, IPEK SAKIR, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07499713
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-10840098-202.3.02-7702
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Association of Serum VEGF-A and VCAM-1 Levels With Nailfold Capilleroscopic Alterations in Alopecia Areata
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07499713
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- E-10840098-202.3.02-7702
- Conditions
- Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Areata(AA), Alopecia Areata (AA)
- Keywords
- alopecia areata, hair loss, vegf a, vcam 1, nfc, nailfold capilleroscopy, trichoscopy, nonscarring alopecia
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Training and Research HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this observational study is to learn about microvascular changes and hair follicle activity in patients with alopecia areata. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do blood levels of markers related to blood vessel formation (VEGF-A) and inflammation (VCAM-1) differ between patients with alopecia areata and healthy individuals?
Is there a link between these blood markers and structural changes in the nailfold capillaries?
How do these markers relate to specific trichoscopic signs of disease activity (such as black dots or exclamation mark hairs) and the overall severity of hair loss (SALT score)?
Researchers will compare patients with alopecia areata (grouped by disease duration: acute <6 months vs. chronic >6 months) to healthy volunteers to see if there is a significant difference in systemic and local vascular indicators.
Participants will:
Undergo a trichoscopic scalp examination to identify markers of disease activity (black dots, yellow dots, exclamation mark hairs) and calculate the SALT score.
Have their nailfolds examined with a digital capillaroscope (50x) to detect microvascular alterations.
Provide a blood sample to measure the levels of VEGF-A and VCAM-1.
Detailed description
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune form of non-scarring hair loss. Although the exact cause is unknown, it is thought that inflammation and changes in the microvasculature (small blood vessels) play a significant role. This study aims to investigate the systemic and local vascular components of the disease.
The study includes 60 patients diagnosed with alopecia areata and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Patients are categorized into two groups based on disease duration:
Acute Group: Patients with a disease duration of less than 6 months.
Chronic Group: Patients with a disease duration of 6 months or longer.
Methodology and Procedures:
Dermatological and Trichoscopic Examination: All patients undergo a clinical examination using a Dermlite 5 dermatoscope. The severity of hair loss is calculated using the SALT (Severity of Alopecia Tool) score. Trichoscopic markers of disease activity, including black dots, yellow dots, exclamation mark hairs, broken hairs, vellus hairs, and pigtail hairs, are recorded according to Rudnicka's criteria.
Nailfold Capillaroscopy: To evaluate local microvascular alterations, nailfold capillaroscopy is performed using a Dino-Lite digital microscope (50x magnification). Examinations are conducted on the 2nd to 5th fingers of both hands after a 15-minute acclimatization period in a temperature-controlled room (20-23 °C). Morphological changes such as capillary dilatation, tortuosity, hemorrhages, and avascular areas are documented. An "abnormal pattern" is defined as the presence of two or more abnormalities in at least two fingers.
Biochemical Analysis: Venous blood samples are collected from all participants. After centrifugation, serum is separated and stored at -80 °C. Serum levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (VCAM-1) are measured using the ELISA method.
The study will analyze the correlation between these biochemical markers, trichoscopic activity signs, and capillaroscopic findings to better understand the vascular pathogenesis of alopecia areata across different disease stages.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Acute alopecia areata patients | – | Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging, Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis, Diagnostic Test: Trichoscopic ImagingPatients diagnosed with alopecia areata who have a disease duration of less than 6 months. |
| Chronic alopecia areata patients | – | Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging, Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis, Diagnostic Test: Trichoscopic ImagingPatients diagnosed with alopecia areata who have a disease duration of 6 months or longer. |
| Healthy Control Group | – | Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging, Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker AnalysisAge- and sex-matched healthy volunteers with no history of alopecia, other autoimmune disorders, or systemic inflammatory diseases. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- The study population consists of patients diagnosed with Alopecia Areata (AA) and healthy volunteers recruited from Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, a tertiary care dermatology outpatient clinic in Istanbul. The patient group is stratified into acute and chronic phenotypes based on disease duration. The healthy control group includes age- and sex-matched individuals with no history of hair, nail, or systemic vascular diseases.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age: Participants aged between 18 and 60 years.
- Diagnosis: Clinical and trichoscopic diagnosis of Alopecia Areata (AA) by a dermatologist.
- Categorization: "Acute" (<6 months duration) or "Chronic" (≥6 months duration) groups.
- Consent: Ability to provide written informed consent for participation in the study.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Medical History: Patients with a history of diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases, connective tissue diseases, chronic inflammatory or vascular diseases.
- Pregnancy \& Lactation: Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Lifestyle Factors: Active smoking or chronic alcohol use.
- Hair \& Nail Conditions: Causes of hair loss other than alopecia areata, the presence of any nail disease, or having had a manicure within the last 3 weeks.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Microvascular ImagingAlso: Nailfold Capillaroscopy, NVChis intervention focuses on the integration of microvascular and biochemical markers to phenotype Alopecia Areata subgroups. | Diagnostic test | Acute alopecia areata patients, Chronic alopecia areata patients, Healthy Control Group |
| Biochemical Biomarker AnalysisAlso: Serum VEGF-A, Serum VCAM-1Collection of 5-10 mL venous blood samples. Serum is separated by centrifugation (3000 RPM, 10 min) and analyzed via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to determine the levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1. | Diagnostic test | Acute alopecia areata patients, Chronic alopecia areata patients, Healthy Control Group |
| Trichoscopic ImagingAlso: Trichoscopy, Dermoscopyhis non-invasive procedure focuses on identifying specific trichoscopic patterns associated with Alopecia Areata activity, including yellow dots, black dots, exclamation mark hairs, and broken hairs. | Diagnostic test | Acute alopecia areata patients, Chronic alopecia areata patients |
Primary outcome
Serum Levels of VEGF-A and VCAM-1
Time frame: At enrollment (Baseline - Single time point)
Serum concentrations of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 will be measured to evaluate systemic vascular involvement and endothelial activation in patients with Alopecia Areata.
2 secondary outcomes
Nailfold Capillaroscopic Patterns
Time frame: At enrollment
Correlation with SALT Score and Trichoscopic Signs
Time frame: At enrollment
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Alopecia Areata
Active, not recruitingPhase 3
A Study to Learn About Medicine Called Ritlecitinib in Children Aged Between 6 to 12 Years With Severe Alopecia Areata
Severe Alopecia Areata
RecruitingPhase 2
Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Ruxolitinib on Hair Regrowth in Patients With Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Candidiasis Ectodermal Dystrophy (APECED)-Associated Alopecia Areata
Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Candidiasis Ectodermal Dystrophy (Apeced), Alopecia Areata
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Litfulo Capsules Special Investigation
Alopecia Areata
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Real-World Effectiveness of Ritlecitinib in Alopecia Areata Patients in the US: A Retrospective Analysis Using EHR and Claims Data
Alopecia Areata
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Characterization And Clinical Outcomes of AA Patients Treated With Ritlecitinib
Alopecia Areata
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Alopecia Areata and Alopecia Areata(AA), run by Istanbul Training and Research Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Serum Levels of VEGF-A and VCAM-1 (time frame: At enrollment (Baseline - Single time point)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Mar 2026.