Safety and Efficacy of Bimatoprost 0.03% Solution for the Treatment of Thinning Eyebrows

A parallel, placebo-controlled, single-center, prospective, randomized, double blind, pilot trial to demonstrate bimatoprost 0.03% efficacy in eyebrow hypotrichosis in otherwise healthy individuals with thinning eyebrows. Bimatoprost 0.03% or placebo will be applied to the eyebrow margin once daily for 36 weeks. Adverse events will be assessed, and subjects will complete outcomes questionnaires at study visits. Eyebrow growth and darkening will be scored by the investigator and photography will be taken at each study visit.

Eyebrows are generally composed of three types of hairs: fine vellus hairs are the smallest, with the second type slightly larger, lightly pigmented hairs. The supercilia are the large terminal hairs which are the most visible and are primarily responsible for color and shape of the brow. Eyelashes are composed of terminal hairs, and it has been well demonstrated that bimatoprost application on these hairs will render them longer, thicker and darker (Allergan Protocol 192024-032). It has also been demonstrated that bimatoprost will darken vellus hair, making them more visible. It may be that administering bimatoprost to the eyebrows will cause the terminal hair to become longer, thicker and darker, and make the vellus and lightly pigmented hairs become more noticeable, thus increasing the intensity and fullness of the entire brow.

Multiple studies have been conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of the application of bimatoprost solution to the eyelid for growth of natural eyelashes (Yoelin S, et al, 2010). In 2 active-controlled phase 3 studies for LUMIGAN®, eyelash growth was reported as an adverse event after 3 months of treatment of subjects receiving bimatoprost once daily (Allergan Studies 192024-008 and 192024-009). The application of bimatoprost solution to the eyelid has proven to be effective in enhancing eyelash growth in women when applied daily for 12 weeks (Cohen JL, 2010).

This drug effect has been formally acknowledged in the LUMIGAN® package insert (Appendix 5.2) further supporting the bimatoprost's effect on eyelash growth. The package insert indicates that LUMIGAN® may gradually change eyelashes with regard to increased length, thickness, pigmentation, and number of eyelashes. Since its US approval in 2001, several adverse events of "growth of eyelashes" have been reported in conjunction with the use of LUMIGAN®.

Subjects will be randomized to Track A, active study drug, bimatoprost 0.03% solution, or to Track B, placebo. Each track will apply the same dose, 1 drop per eyebrow once daily, to determine the safety and efficacy of bimatoprost 0.03% solution versus placebo.

Inclusion criteria

• Females and males, ages 18-75 years with brows that are naturally thinning with a score of 1 (very thin) or 2 (thin) at baseline as determined by the Investigator Global Eyebrow Assessment (IGEA).
• Subjects who agree to forgo any additional treatment to the brows, such as waxing, plucking, threading and/or tinting for the duration of the study.
• Desires to participate in a research study

Exclusion criteria

• Any uncontrolled systemic disease.
• Any known diseases or abnormalities to the eyelid or eyebrow.
• Known allergies or reactions to bimatoprost or placebo ingredients.
• Pregnancy.
• Subjects that have thinning brows as a result of over plucking, trichotillomania, chemotherapy or any other condition or treatment that causes hair loss.
• Subjects who have used any over the counter or prescription eyebrow growth product 3 months prior to baseline.
• Subjects with tattooed eyebrows and/or any permanent or semi-permanent tint or dye within 3 months prior to baseline.
• Subjects with a score of 3 or 4 on the eyebrow scale.
• Current enrollment in an investigational drug or device study or participation in such a study 30 days prior to baseline.
• Subjects using prostaglandin analogs for the treatment of high intraocular pressure.
• Aphakic subjects and/or pseudophakic subjects with a torn posterior lens capsule.
• Subjects with known risk factors for macular edema.