Scalp cooling technology provider, Paxman, explains how its innovation aims to help patients maintain a sense a normality whilst receiving chemotherapy.
Credit: Paxman
Who are Paxman?
Founded in 1997, Paxman Coolers design and manufacture the Paxman Scalp Cooling System – a hair loss prevention system for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Hair loss is consistently ranked as one of the most feared and common side effects of chemotherapy treatment, and the damage that chemotherapy causes to the hair follicle can be alleviated by using scalp cooling treatment - also known as the ‘cold cap’. The cold cap which is manufactured from high grade silicone material works by reducing the temperature of the scalp by a few degrees immediately before, during and after the administration of the toxic chemotherapy drugs.
Paxman has enabled scalp cooling to be available for chemotherapy patients worldwide. The company’s aim is that every applicable cancer patient, no matter where in the world nor their financial position, has the opportunity to maintain a sense of normality by keeping their hair through chemotherapy treatment.
How successful is scalp cooling?
In recent years the success rate for patients using scalp cooling has been around 50 percent (on average), with significant variations experienced between different types of chemotherapy.
A key factor in improving efficacy is Paxman’s research and development collaboration with the University of Huddersfield in the UK. The collaboration was formalised in 2019 with the Paxman Scalp Cooling Research Centre, a multidisciplinary research group that constitutes the world's first research and development centre in scalp cooling.
How to improve scalp cooling efficacy
The target for improved scalp cooling efficacy has always underpinned Paxman’s company-wide strategy and continues to form a major part of the company’s research, development and innovation strategies. The launch of the 4th generation Paxman Scalp Cooling system in 2018 saw a complete re-design of the silicone cooling cap. The fit of the cooling cap is critical for successful hair retention outcomes for patients. Extensive research by academics at the University of Huddersfield into varying cultural differences in head sizes and shapes led to the latest 3D printing technology being used to produce the optimum shape and fit for the cooling caps. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) for this most recent project was judged “outstanding” by the Technology Strategy Board.
Chasing zero hair loss: The 80/20 vision
The 80/20 vision means that around 80 percent of patients using scalp cooling shall be able to keep most of their hair. In 2012 the benchmark for scalp cooling efficacy was 48% whilst in 2019 we saw a significant uplift in successful scalp cooling outcomes to over 56%. Paxman’s research and development programme allows the company to continuously refine the efficacy and user-friendliness of its scalp cooling system.
The collaboration with the multidisciplinary research team at the University of Huddersfield brings together crucial industry expertise and know-how and important product development work along with scientific expertise in areas which include biological hair follicle research and chemical research.
The Paxman Scalp Cooling Research Centre, the world's first multidisciplinary research centre focused on scalp cooling will continue developing individual 3D-printed cooling caps, along with important biological hair follicle research as well as developing innovative scalp cooling-related treatments. Initially, the Centre will focus its efforts on three key projects:
- Development of a novel, environmentally friendly ecosystem for 3D-printed individual cooling caps ready for mass production and ultimately a perfect cap fit.
- Biological research using the most clinically-relevant in vitro models: Cultivated human hair follicles.
- Development of a topical product with the potential to substantially enhance the effect of scalp cooling. The enhancement effect of the product has already been proven in initial in vitro tests.
Continuous innovation is vital to ensure that the personal cooling caps ensure a high level of comfort for patients, as well as enabling them to practice their cap fitting in the comfort of their own home, maintain good hygiene and remove the nursing burden.
References
- Scalp cooling for hair preservation and associated characteristics in 1411 chemotherapy patients - Results of the Dutch Scalp Cooling Registry CORINA.J. VAN DEN HURK, MIJKE PEERBOOMS, LONNEKE V. VAN DE POLL-FRANSE, JOHAN W. NORTIER, JAN WILLEM W. COEBERGH & WIM P. BREED
- Learning from best scalp cooling practices in a registry: differences in results from n>7000 patients with solid tumors. C.J.G. van den Hurk, M.W. Dercksen, J.W.R. Nortier, W.P.M. Breed