Encyclopedia · growth stimulant
PTD-DBM (CXXC5 competitor peptide)
A short peptide that stops the Wnt brake CXXC5 from binding Dishevelled; it sped hair regrowth in mice but has no human data.
What it is
CXXC5 is a negative regulator of Wnt signalling that is raised in miniaturised follicles in balding human scalp. A competitor peptide that disrupts CXXC5 binding to Dishevelled activated Wnt signalling and accelerated hair regrowth and wound-induced follicle formation in mice (Lee 2017). It is not a medicine and has no approved form.
What the studies show
- Mouse, human dermal papilla cell and human scalp tissue work showed CXXC5 raised in balding follicles, faster regrowth in mice lacking CXXC5, and accelerated regrowth with the competitor peptide (Lee 2017).
- No human trial exists.
Side effects and safety
- Unknown in humans.
Bottom line
An interesting Wnt-braking target with no product. Peptides sold online as "hair growth" are not covered by this evidence. Discuss with a doctor.
Studies 1
Lee SH et al. Targeting of CXXC5 by a competing peptide stimulates hair regrowth and wound-induced hair neogenesis. J Invest Dermatol. 2017
Tested: CXXC5-Dishevelled competitor peptide
Result: CXXC5 was raised in balding follicles and the peptide accelerated regrowth in mice.
Read the study ↗Related
- Valproic acid (sodium valproate)A seizure and mood-stabiliser drug that grew hair as a scalp spray in one tiny trial, but taken by mouth commonly causes hair shedding and is a major birth-defect risk.
- WAY-316606A lab compound that blocks the Wnt brake SFRP1 and lengthened hair in donated human scalp follicles kept alive in a dish; it has never been tested in a person.
- SM04554 (dalosirvir)A topical Wnt-pathway activator tested in about a thousand men with pattern baldness that showed no significant benefit over vehicle.
- Hair growth pipeline (2026)What is in clinical trials for hair loss as of October 2026, how far along it is, and how much to trust the early numbers.