Mast cells express IL17A, IL17F and RORC, are activated and persist with IL-17 production in resolved skin of patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis

Little is known about IL-17 expression in psoriasis and the actual cellular source of IL-17 remains incompletely defined. We show that high numbers of IL-17 + mast cells persisted in resolved lesions after treatment (anti-IL-17A, anti-IL-23, UVB or topical dithranol) and correlated inversely with the time span in remission. IL-17 + mast cells were found in T cell-rich areas and often close to resident memory T cells (Trm) in active psoriasis and resolved lesional skin. Digital cytometry by deconvolution of RNA-seq data showed that activated mast cells were increased in psoriatic skin, while resting mast cells were almost absent and both returned to normal levels after treatment. When primary human skin mast cells were stimulated with T cell cytokines (TNFα, IL-22 and IFNγ), they responded by releasing more IL-17A, as measured by ELISA. In situ mRNA detection using padlock probes specific for transcript variants of IL17A, IL17F, and RORC (encoding the Th17 transcription factor RORγt) revealed positive mRNA signals for IL17A, IL17F, and RORCin tryptase + cells, demonstrating that mast cells have the transcriptional machinery to actively produce IL-17. Mast cells thus belong to the center of the IL-23/IL-17 axis and high numbers of IL-17 + mast cells predict an earlier disease recurrence.

Entwicklung der Patientencharakteristika und der Wirksamkeit der Biologika-Therapie bei Patienten des Österreichischen Psoriasis-Registers von 2004 bis 2022

Hintergrund und Ziele

In dieser Studie wurde untersucht, inwieweit die Einführung wirksamerer Medikamente in jüngster Zeit zu einer Verbesserung der Behandlungsergebnisse von Psoriasis‐Patienten im klinischen Alltag geführt hat.

Patienten und Methodik

Es wurden Patientencharakteristika und die Wirksamkeit der Therapie im ersten Behandlungsjahr bei Biologika‐naiven Patienten von 2004 bis heute analysiert, unabhängig von Therapiewechseln.

Ergebnisse

Die Daten von 2729 Patienten eigneten sich für die Analyse. Der Anteil der weiblichen Patienten stieg über die Jahre signifikant von 29,9% auf 36,2% (p < 0,028), während der Anteil der Patienten mit einer Psoriasis‐Arthritis von 36,6% auf 30,0% sank (p < 0,001). Außerdem nahm die Dauer der Psoriasis‐Erkrankung und der PASI‐Wert zu Beginn der Behandlung in Verlauf der Zeit signifikant ab. Die „letzte Beobachtung übernommen“ (LOCF)‐Analyse zeigte, dass das PASI‐90‐Ansprechen drei Monate nach Therapiebeginn von 18,9% auf 44,6% und 12 Monate nach Therapiebeginn von 32,9% auf 66,8% anstieg. Ebenso stiegen die PASI<3 Befunde von 33,2% auf 66,0% 3 Monate und von 41,9% auf 78,9% 12 Monate nach Behandlungsbeginn.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die kontinuierliche Einführung wirksamerer Biologika hat zu einer deutlichen Verbesserung des klinischen Ansprechens und der Patientenversorgung geführt. Dennoch erreicht auch heute noch, je nach gewähltem Endpunkt, jeder dritte bis fünfte Patient kein vollständig zufriedenstellendes Behandlungsergebnis (d.h. PASI 90 oder PASI ≤ 3).

Evolution of characteristics and biologic treatment effectiveness in patients of the Austrian psoriasis registry from 2004-2022

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This study analyzed the extent to which the recent introduction of more effective treatments has led to an improvement in real-world psoriasis patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patient characteristics and the first-year treatment effectiveness in biologic-naive patients have been analyzed since 2004 until now, irrespective of treatment switches.

RESULTS

Data from 2,729 patients were eligible for this analysis. The proportion of female patients increased significantly over the years from 29.9% to 36.2% (p < 0.028), while the number of patients with psoriatic arthritis declined from 36.6% to 30.0% (p < 0.001). Moreover, the duration of psoriatic disease and PASI at the start of the treatment significantly decreased. Last observation carrief forward (LOCF) analysis indicated that PASI 90 response increased from 18.9 to 44.6% at 3 months and from 32.9 to 66.8% at 12 months after treatment started. Similary, the PASI ≤ 3 rates increased from 33.2% to 66.0% at 3 months and from 41.9% to 78.9% at 12 months after the treatment started.

CONCLUSIONS

The continuous introduction of more efficient biologics has led to significant improvements in patient care and clinical outcomes. Though one out of three to five patients, depending on the endpoint selected, nowadays still does not achieve an entirely satisfactory treatment response (i.e., PASI 90 or PASI ≤ 3).

No impact of disease duration on response to tildrakizumab treatment among patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: Post hoc analyses from two phase 3 (reSURFACE 1 and reSURFACE 2) and one phase 4 (TRIBUTE) studies

In the literature there is no consensus on the correlation between early systemic intervention and better treatment response in psoriasis. Here we present data on the impact of disease duration (<5 years, 5-<10 years, and ≥10 years) on response to tildrakizumab treatment among patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis from the reSURFACE 1 and reSURFACE 2 phase 3 trials and the TRIBUTE phase 4 study. Overall, there was no significant effect of disease duration on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index ≤1, ≤3, and ≤5, or the Dermatology Life Quality Index 0-1 response rates. Tildrakizumab was highly effective regardless of the psoriasis disease duration.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with psoriasis treated with apremilast in the real-world in Austria - results the APPRECIATE study

Background

Apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, is approved in the European Union for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adult patients refractory or contraindicated to or intolerant of other systemic therapies.

Objectives

The APPRECIATE study assessed apremilast use in real-world practice and its clinical value to physicians and patients. APPRECIATE was a multinational, observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study.

Methods

Apremilast effectiveness at 6 (±1) months was assessed on the basis of psoriasis severity and health-related quality-of-life scores and treatment satisfaction using physician/patient-reported outcomes, respectively. We report the Austrian cohort of 72 patients.

Results

At 6 (±1) months, three-quarters of patients remained on apremilast, while physicians and patients reported treatment benefits across all psoriasis symptoms and manifestations. Of patients, the majority were satisfied with their treatment and achieved treatment goals considered most relevant. Patients' and physicians' perceptions of treatment effectiveness were aligned, and health-related quality-of-life scores indicated an improvement in the majority of patients. Apremilast tolerability was consistent with the known safety profile.

Conclusions

Among psoriasis patients receiving apremilast in Austria, improvement in clinical outcomes were observed and satisfaction with apremilast treatment among patients and physicians was high.

Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02740218.

Real-world effectiveness of anti-interleukin-23 antibodies in chronic plaque-type psoriasis of patients from the Austrian Psoriasis Registry (PsoRA)

With the introduction of the latest class of biologic drugs targeting interleukin (IL)-23p19, three new, highly effective drugs can be used for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. However, poorer skin improvement as well as higher rates of serious adverse events have been reported for patients under real-world conditions (outside clinical trials). This accounts especially for patients who have already been treated with biologic drugs. We therefore aimed to determine effectiveness and safety of IL-23p19 inhibitors in real-world patients by analysing data from the Psoriasis Registry Austria (PsoRA) in this observational, retrospective, multicentre cohort study. Data for 197 patients (52.3% biologic-non-naïve), who were treated with anti-IL-23p19 antibodies (127 guselkumab, 55 risankizumab and 15 tildrakizumab) for at least 3 months, were eligible for analysis. In general, biologic-non-naïve patients displayed a less favourable response to anti-IL-23 treatment as compared to biologic-naïve patients. However, after correction for previous biologic exposure, few differences in PASI improvement were detected among biologic-naïve and -non-naïve patients treated with different IL-23p19 inhibitors. This indicates that treatment effectiveness is not related to the class of the previously administered therapy in biologic-non-naïve patients. Therefore, IL-23p19 inhibitors represent a promising treatment alternative for patients who have not responded to previous biologics. However, as with other biologic agents (including IL-17 inhibitors), we did not observe an entirely satisfactory treatment response (i.e. PASI < 3 and/or PASI 75) to anti-IL-23 treatment in one out of four to five patients. Adverse events (mainly non-severe infections) were observed in 23 (11.7%) patients with no major differences regarding the administered IL-23 inhibitor or previous biologic exposure.

[Uncommon presentation of psoriasis vulgaris in an 11-year-old patient]

Die Psoriasis vulgaris tritt mit einer Prävalenz von bis zu 2 % im Kindes- und Jugendalter auf. Größtenteils wird die Diagnose klinisch gestellt. Wir berichten über einen pädiatrischen Patienten, welcher uns aufgrund der für eine Psoriasis vulgaris eher untypischen Lokalisation vor eine diagnostische Herausforderung stellte. Diskutiert werden die wichtigsten Differenzialdiagnosen der verschiedenen Psoriasisformen sowie die aktuellen Therapieempfehlungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter.

Biological anti-psoriatic therapy profoundly affects high-density lipoprotein function

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease linked to increased cardiovascular risk. Functional impairment of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may contribute to excessive cardiovascular mortality in psoriasis patients. Anti-cytokine therapies with biologics have been efficiently used for the management of psoriasis, however little data is available on the effects of biologic anti-psoriatic therapies on the composition and functionality of HDL. Blood samples were taken from 17 healthy volunteers and from 27 real-world psoriasis patients at baseline (no therapy with biologics) and after short-term (3 to 6 months) and intermediate-term (1 to 2 years) therapy. The biologics used included anti-interleukin (IL)-12/23p40 (ustekinumab), anti-IL17A (secukinumab) or anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (etanercept or adalimumab) antibodies. We observed that in psoriasis patients at baseline, metrics of HDL function including cholesterol efflux capacity of apolipoprotein B-depleted serum (p = 0.021), paraoxonase (p < 0.001) and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (p < 0.001) activities were impaired, when compared to controls. Unexpectedly, we observed that short- and especially intermediate-term therapy with biologics markedly reduced HDL cholesterol efflux capacity (p < 0.001) and rendered HDL pro-inflammatory (p < 0.001), but increased paraoxonase (p = 0.009) and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (p = 0.019) activities. All biologics caused similar changes in HDL composition, subclass distribution and cholesterol efflux capacity. Our results provide evidence that anti-psoriatic therapy with biologic agents is associated with changes in HDL functionality, particle composition and subclass distribution.

Furin Expression in Patients With Psoriasis-A Patient Cohort Endangered to SARS-COV2?

Background: SARS-Cov2 has raised concerns among dermatologists regarding psoriasis and its respective treatments. Comorbidities, which induce the expression of the proprotease furin have been associated with severe course of COVID-19. Furin and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) play a major role in viral host cell entry of SARS-Cov2.

Objective: To evaluate mRNA expression of Furin and ACE2 from blood cells in psoriasis patients, and whether systemic or topical treatment reduces expression levels.

Methods: This observational translational study analyzed blood samples from patients from a clinical trial and samples retrieved from the biobank of the Psoriasis Registry Austria (PsoRA). Furin and ACE2 expression levels were analyzed prior to as well as 3 and 12–24 months after start of biologic treatment with either ustekinumab or secukinumab. Additionally, the study analyzed expression levels prior to, 6 days after start of dithranol treatment and 4–6 weeks after end of dithranol treatment.

Results: Furin mRNA expression was significantly increased at baseline in the biologic (4.9 ± 2.6 fold, p < 0.0001) and in the dithranol group (2.7 ± 1.4 fold, p < 0.001) compared to controls. There was a trend for arthritis patients to express more furin than patients with psoriatic skin involvement only (5.26 ± 2.30 vs. 3.48 ± 2.27, p = 0.078). Analyzing furin mRNA expression after treatment initiation with secukinumab or ustekinumab revealed a normalization of levels after 3 and 12 to 24 months. Similar findings were obtained for patients treated with dithranol, with significantly decreased expression levels 6 days after start of dithranol treatment and also at follow-up, (4–6 weeks after dithranol treatment had been terminated). ACE2 expression levels did not differ from controls at any timepoint, regardless of biologic or topical treatment.

Conclusion: Significantly overexpressed levels of furin were observed in untreated patients, and, thus, these patients may be at risk for infection and a severe course of COVID-19. However, the data indicate that successful therapeutic intervention in psoriasis, by systemic biologic or topical treatment, can efficiently reduce furin levels in blood cells, possibly limiting the risk of psoriasis patients for a severe COVID-19 course.

Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02752672.

Pruritus Intensity Scales across Europe: a prospective validation study

BACKGROUND

Chronic pruritus (CP) is a subjective symptom, and it is necessary to assess its intensity with validated patient-reported outcome tools in order to allow determination of the treatment course.

OBJECTIVES

So far, the itch intensity scales were validated in small cohorts and in single languages. Here, we report the validation of the numerical rating scale, the verbal rating scale and the visual analogue scale for the worst and average pruritus intensity in the last 24h in several languages across Europe and across different pruritic dermatoses.

METHODS

After professional translation, the intensity scales were digitized for use as a tablet computer application. Validation was performed in clinics for Dermatology in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.

RESULTS

A total of 547 patients with contact dermatitis, chronic nodular prurigo, psoriasis vulgaris, lichen planus or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma were included. The intensity scales showed a high level of reproducibility and inter-correlations with each other. The correlation with the Dermatology Life Quality Index was weak to strong in nearly all countries and dermatoses with the exception of France and patients with chronic nodular prurigo, for which no statistically significant correlations were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The numerical rating scale, the verbal rating scale und the visual analogue scales are valid instruments with good reproducibility and internal consistency in German (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), French, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Turkish for different pruritic dermatoses. VAS worst was the best reproducible and consistent measuring instrument in all countries.

Biologic drug survival rates in the era of anti-interleukin-17 antibodies: a time-period-adjusted registry analysis

Background

Drug survival rates reflect efficacy and safety and may be influenced by the availability of alternative treatment options. Little is known about time‐dependent drug survival in psoriasis and the effect of increasing numbers of biologic treatment options.

Objectives

To determine whether drug survival is influenced by the availability of treatment options and by factors such as gender, psoriatic arthritis or previous biologic treatment.

Methods

This observational, retrospective, multicentre cohort study analysed data from patients registered in the Austrian Psoriasis Registry (PsoRA) who were treated with biologics between 1 January 2015 and 30 November 2019.

Results

A total of 1572 patients who received 1848 treatment cycles were included in this analysis. The highest long‐term Psoriasis Area and Severity Index improvement was observed after treatment with ixekizumab, followed by ustekinumab and secukinumab, adalimumab and etanercept. Overall, ustekinumab surpassed all other biologics in drug survival up to 48 months. However, when adjusted for biologic naïvety, its superiority vanished and drug survival rates were similar for ixekizumab (91·6%), secukinumab (90·2%) and ustekinumab (92·8%), all of them superior to adalimumab (76·5%) and etanercept (71·9%) at 12 months and beyond. Besides biologic non‐naïvety (2·10, P < 0·001), the introduction of a new drug such as secukinumab or ixekizumab (relative hazard ratio 1·6, P = 0·001) and female gender (1·50, P = 0·019) increased the risk of treatment discontinuation overall, whereas psoriatic arthritis did not (1·12, P = 0·21).

Conclusions

The time‐dependent availability of drugs should be considered when analysing and comparing drug survival. Previous biologic exposure significantly influences drug survival. Women are more likely to stop treatment.

What is already known about this topic?

Female gender and previous biologic exposure have been discussed as predictors for decreased drug survival in patients with psoriasis, but it remains unknown whether a time‐dependent increased availability of treatment options alters biologic drug survival.

What does this study add?

The increased availability of alternative biologic treatments over time leads to an elevated risk for treatment discontinuation overall; therefore, drug survival analysis has to be time adjusted.

Moreover, the study reveals that the impact of previous biologic treatment on drug survival is tremendous and confirms worse drug survival in female patients.

Linked Comment: Gniadecki. Br J Dermatol 2021; 184:996–997.

Relationship Between Skin Shame, Psychological Distress and Quality of Life in Patients with Psoriasis: a Pilot Study

Shame has been registered as a part of psychosocial distress in patients with psoriasis. This study investigated 44 patients with psoriasis and 88 age- and sex-matched individuals without skin disease. Skin shame, multifarious expressions of shame, psychological symptoms, overall health, dermatological quality of life, disease burden and disease severity were measured. Higher levels of skin shame correlated with a greater disease burden (r=0.63; p < 0.01), higher Dermatology Life Quality Index (r=0.33; p < 0.05), and lower mental quality of life (r=-0.30; p <´ 0.05). Patients had a higher level of skin shame (F=74.03; eta2= 0.36; p < 0.01) and less physical quality of life on the SF-36 (F=5.14; eta2= 0.04; p < 0.05) than non-dermatological controls. General shame was not related to disease burden or quality of life. While self-rated skin shame appears to be related to quality of life in patients with psoriasis, no association was registered between expert-rated Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and quality of life.

Immunosuppressives and biologics during pregnancy and lactation : A consensus report issued by the Austrian Societies of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Rheumatology and Rehabilitation

An increasing and early-onset use of immunosuppressives and biologics has become more frequently seen among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and rheumatic disorders. Many women in their childbearing years currently receive such medications, and some of them in an interdisciplinary setting. Many questions arise in women already pregnant or wishing to conceive with respect to continuing or discontinuing treatment, the risks borne by the newborns and their mothers and long-term safety. Together with the Austrian Society of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, the IBD working group of the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology has elaborated consensus statements on the use of immunosuppressives and biologics in pregnancy and lactation. This is the first Austrian interdisciplinary consensus on this topic. It is intended to serve as a basis and support for providing advice to our patients and their treating physicians.

Humanistic burden of chronic pruritus in patients with inflammatory dermatoses: Results of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Network on Assessment of Severity and Burden of Pruritus (PruNet) cross-sectional trial

BACKGROUND

Chronic pruritus is a multifactorial, challenging symptom of global relevance.

OBJECTIVE

The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Network on Assessment of Severity and Burden of Pruritus (PruNet) investigation aimed to analyze the severity and humanistic burden of chronic pruritus in patients suffering from inflammatory dermatoses across Europe.

METHODS

Prospectively collected routine data on 552 patients (with atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, psoriasis vulgaris, lichen planus, or mycosis fungoides [pruritus numeric rating scale score ≥3]) from 9 European centers (in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate variance analyses of various itch characteristics and quality of life (as measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the ItchyQoL).

RESULTS

Duration, frequency, and intensity of pruritus (according to a numeric rating scale and visual analog scale) and related impairment of quality of life differed between European centers and dermatologic diagnoses (P < .05). The country in which the center was located had a greater impact on how patients evaluated pruritus intensity and quality of life than diagnosis did (P < .001).

LIMITATIONS

One center per country was included.

CONCLUSION

The humanistic burden of chronic pruritus in patients with inflammatory dermatoses is high. European cross-cultural factors may have a stronger influence than a specific dermatologic diagnosis on how patients rate intensity of pruritus and quality of life.

Cross-European validation of the ItchyQoL in pruritic dermatoses

BACKGROUND

Chronic pruritus (CP) is a frequently occurring symptom in inflammatory dermatoses, causing a high burden and limitations to health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

OBJECTIVE

The ItchyQoL was developed to assess the impairment to HRQoL in patients with CP. However, it has only been validated in English and German. Here, we report the validation in several languages across Europe.

METHODS

After professional translation, the versions of ItchyQoL were digitized for use as a tablet application. Validation was performed in clinics for dermatology in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.

RESULTS

Five hundred and thirty-five patients with either contact dermatitis, chronic prurigo - nodular type, psoriasis vulgaris, lichen planus or mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome and with CP ≥ 3 on the numerical rating scale were included. ItchyQoL showed a high level of consistency (Cronbach's-α, all: 0.95) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation: 0.91). It strongly correlated with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (r = 0.72, P < 0.001) and moderately correlated with itch intensity scales in the study population (visual analogue scale r = 0.46; numerical rating scale r = 0.51; verbal rating scale r = 0.51, for all: P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

ItchyQoL is now also validated in French, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Turkish and can be used in clinical trials in countries speaking these languages.

Quality of life and treatment goals in psoriasis from the patient perspective: results of an Austrian cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Patients with psoriasis experience impairment in quality of life. Thus, high-quality dermatological care is of particular importance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a nationwide cross-sectional survey in Austria (BQSAustria Psoriasis 2014/2015) with a special focus on quality of life and satisfaction with treatment among psoriasis patients predominantly treated at tertiary care centers.

RESULTS

Overall, 70.2 % of 1,184 patients reported impaired quality of life (DLQI 2-5: 29.4 %; 6-10: 19.3 %; 11-15: 11.5 %; 16-20: 5.2 % and > 20: 4.9 %) despite treatment over the preceding four weeks (topical treatment in 88.2 % of cases and/or systemic treatment in 38.7 %). On average, none of the 25 defined subjective treatment goals was achieved to a sufficient degree. In particular, 82.2 % of patients continued to have pruritus despite treatment, which was highly significantly associated with a poor general health status over the preceding week (Spearman's rank correlation; p  =  1.1e-45), the extent of body surface area (p  =  3.2e-11) and scalp area (p  =  3.2e-11) affected, as well as pain (p  =  2.3e-22). Treatment with a biologic was significantly correlated with higher patient satisfaction (Wilcoxon-Test, p  =  2.0e-16).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite dermatological care, the majority of Austrian psoriasis patients continues to experience impaired quality of life; there is potential for improvement in the achievement of treatment goals.

Desired response to phototherapy vs photoaggravation in psoriasis: what makes the difference?

Psoriasis commonly responds beneficially to UV radiation from natural sunlight or artificial sources. Therapeutic mechanisms include the proapoptotic and immunomodulating effects of UV, affecting many cells and involving a variety of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, downregulating the Th17/IL-23 response with simultaneous induction of regulatory immune cells. However, exposure to UV radiation in a subset of psoriasis patients leads to exacerbation of the disease. We herein shed light on the predisposing factors of photosensitive psoriasis, including genetics (such as HLA-Cw*0602 or CARD14), gender and coexisting photodermatoses such as polymorphic light eruption (PLE) in the context of potential molecular mechanisms behind therapeutic photoresponsiveness or photoaggravation. UV-induced damage/pathogen-associated molecular patterns, damage to self-coding RNA (signalling through Toll-like receptors), certain antimicrobial peptides and/or inflammasome activation may induce innate immunity, leading to psoriasis at the site of UV exposure when there is concomitant, predisposing resistance against UV-induced suppression of the adaptive immune response (like in PLE) that otherwise would act to reduce psoriasis.

Survival and Effectiveness of Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha Inhibitors in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis under Daily Life Conditions: Report from the Psoriasis Registry Austria

This retrospective multicentre analysis from the Psoriasis Registry Austria (PsoRA) was conducted to determine drug effectiveness and survival of anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) agents in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis over a 9-year period. Data on 1,019 treatment cycles with adalimumab (n = 460), etanercept (n = 501), and/or infliximab (n = 58) administered to 827 patients (272 women, 555 men) were available for analysis. Compared with etanercept, adalimumab and infliximab showed superior short-term effectiveness. Intention-to-treat-calculated median drug survivals for adalimumab (1,264 days) and etanercept (1,438 days) were similar to each other (p = 0.74), but significantly superior to that of infliximab (477 days) (p = 7.0e-07 vs. adalimumab and p=2.2e-07 vs. etanercept, respectively). Their drug survival rates at 36 months were 51.6%, 56.0%, and 22.6%, respectively. Survival rates correlated significantly with effectiveness for adalimumab and etanercept, but not for infliximab.

Childhood generalized pustular psoriasis: longtime remission with combined infliximab and methotrexate treatment

An 8-year old boy with generalized pustular psoriasis unresponsive to several topical and systemic treatments responded dramatically with long-lasting remission to infliximab in combination with methotrexate. Combined therapy might offer a new therapeutic strategy yielding long-term remission.

Identification of 15 new psoriasis susceptibility loci highlights the role of innate immunity

To gain further insight into the genetic architecture of psoriasis, we conducted a meta-analysis of 3 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and 2 independent data sets genotyped on the Immunochip, including 10,588 cases and 22,806 controls. We identified 15 new susceptibility loci, increasing to 36 the number associated with psoriasis in European individuals. We also identified, using conditional analyses, five independent signals within previously known loci. The newly identified loci shared with other autoimmune diseases include candidate genes with roles in regulating T-cell function (such as RUNX3, TAGAP and STAT3). Notably, they included candidate genes whose products are involved in innate host defense, including interferon-mediated antiviral responses (DDX58), macrophage activation (ZC3H12C) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling (CARD14 and CARM1). These results portend a better understanding of shared and distinctive genetic determinants of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders and emphasize the importance of the skin in innate and acquired host defense.

Psoriasis alters HDL composition and cholesterol efflux capacity

Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, has been linked to increased myocardial infarction and stroke. Functional impairment of HDL may contribute to the excess cardiovascular mortality of psoriatic patients. However, data available regarding the impact of psoriasis on HDL composition and function are limited. HDL from psoriasis patients and healthy controls was isolated by ultracentrifugation and shotgun proteomics, and biochemical methods were used to monitor changed HDL composition. We observed a significant reduction in apoA-I levels of HDL from psoriatic patients, whereas levels of apoA-II and proteins involved in acute-phase response, immune response, and endopeptidase/protease inhibition were increased. Psoriatic HDL contained reduced phospholipid and cholesterol. With regard to function, these compositional alterations impaired the ability of psoriatic HDL to promote cholesterol efflux from macrophages. Importantly, HDL-cholesterol efflux capability negatively correlated with psoriasis area and severity index. We observed that control HDL, as well as psoriatic HDL, inhibited dihydrorhodamine (DHR) oxidation to a similar extent, suggesting that the anti-oxidative activity of psoriatic HDL is not significantly altered. Our observations suggest that the compositional alterations observed in psoriatic HDL reflect a shift to a pro-inflammatory profile that impairs cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL and may provide a link between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease.

Pilot study on the acceptance of mobile teledermatology for the home monitoring of high-need patients with psoriasis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The willingness to be educated is one of the highest desires among patients with psoriasis. Therefore, a collaborative model of management would appear to be essential in enhancing patient satisfaction in this challenging condition. The present study aimed at examining the applicability of a mobile teledermatology service in this regard and assessing the association between patient acceptance and perceived health-related quality of life.

METHODS

High-need patients with psoriasis performed visits over 12 weeks transmitting clinical images together with some relevant clinical information via mobile phones to teledermatologists, who provided treatment instructions. Ten patients and two teledermatologists completed 20-item patient (weeks 6 and 12) and 10-item physician (at week 12) acceptance questionnaires. In addition, patients answered the dermatology life quality index (DLQI) at weeks 0, 6 and 12.

RESULTS

Both patients and teledermatologists were pleased with the service with high acceptance rates (patients: 81.0% at week 6 and 82.9% at week 12; teledermatologists: 74.0%). In addition, 80% of the patients considered the service an alternative to in-person consultation and 90% felt they were in good hands but had achieved a more flexible and empowered lifestyle. No significant correlations were found between patient acceptance and DLQI. Both teledermatologists found the service a convenient and reliable tool for patient monitoring. Neither patients nor teledermatologists thought further in-person consultations necessary.

CONCLUSION

Mobile teledermatology is a valuable tool for the home monitoring of patients with psoriasis that makes a meaningful difference in their lives. It is well accepted by both patients and the physicians involved.

Teledermatological monitoring of psoriasis patients on biologic therapy

Patients with psoriasis who are being treated with biologics require intensive monitoring. However, the monitoring tool teledermatology is not commonly used. We investigated the applicability of a mobile phone based teledermatological system for monitoring psoriasis patients on biologic therapy. Nineteen patients were given mobile phones with built-in cameras, in order to transmit health status data and images (mobile visits) weekly for a 6-month period. Face-to-face visits were carried out at weeks 0, 4, 12 and 24. Image quality, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), the handling of adverse events, and patients' feedback questionnaires were evaluated. Ninety-five percent of the images were of sufficient quality to enable accurate assessment of the PASI. The distance between the interpolated face-to-face PASIs and the corresponding mobile visit PASIs was 0.46 ± 2.15 (median ± interquartile range). All 155 adverse events were handled correctly by the system. This teledermatological system represents a reliable tool for management of psoriasis patients who are on systemic treatment.

An update on the diagnosis and management of psoriatic arthritis

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease with complex genetic background affecting approximately 2-3% of the population in the Western hemisphere. Around 20% of psoriasis patients also suffer from psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The clinical spectrum comprises a wide variety of arthritic manifestations ranging from dactylitis, peripheral symmetric or asymmetric mono-, oligo-, and polyarticular arthritis, spinal disease and enthesitis. As psoriasis precedes PsA in 75-80% of affected patients, dermatologists might play a pivotal role in early diagnosis of the disease. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning and ultrasonography have improved the radiological diagnosis of peripheral PsA, psoriatic spondylarthropathy and enthesitis. Besides the traditional treatment of PsA the introduction of biologics has led to a significant improvement in the treatment of the disease. To further improve diagnosis, treatment and quality of life in our patients suffering from PsA an excellent interdisciplinary collaboration between dermatologists, radiologists and rheumatologists is a necessity of utmost importance.

Current status and new developments in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with biological agents

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 1-3% of the general population. Among psoriatic patients, 5-40% are affected by psoriatic arthritis. Due to the chronic nature of the disease, patients suffer from substantial psychological and financial burdens, thus adding to a significantly impaired quality of life. Traditional systemic therapies for psoriasis, such as methotrexate, cyclosporin A, retinoids or PUVA therapy, have a potential for long-term toxicity and may not always provide sufficient improvement of the disease. The development of novel therapies targeting key steps in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis now provide new and efficient treatment options. Biological therapies for the treatment of psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis are defined by their mode of action and can be classified into three categories: the T-cell modulating agents (alefacept and efalizumab), the inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha blockers, e.g. adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab and infliximab) and the inhibitors of interleukin (IL) 12 and IL-23 (e.g. ustekinumab and briakinumab). This article provides a brief overview of the currently approved biological agents in the European Union and of some newer agents, such as briakinumab, certolizumab and golimumab.

In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy: automated diagnostic image analysis of melanocytic skin tumours

BACKGROUND

In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been shown to be a valuable imaging tool in the diagnosis of melanocytic skin tumours. However, diagnostic image analysis performed by automated systems is to date quite rare.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we investigated the applicability of an automated image analysis system using a machine learning algorithm on diagnostic discrimination of benign and malignant melanocytic skin tumours in RCM.

METHODS

Overall, 16,269 RCM tumour images were evaluated. Image analysis was based on features of the wavelet transform. A learning set of 6147 images was used to establish a classification tree algorithm and an independent test set of 10, 122 images was applied to validate the tree model (grouping method 1). Additionally, randomly generated 'new' learning and test sets, tumour images only and different skin layers were evaluated (grouping method 2, 3 and 4).

RESULTS

  The classification tree analysis correctly classified 93.60% of the melanoma and 90.40% of the nevi images of the learning set. When the classification tree was applied to the independent test set 46.71 ± 19.97% (range 7.81-83.87%) of the tumour images in benign melanocytic skin lesions were classified as 'malignant', in contrast to 55.68 ± 14.58% (range 30.65-83.59%; t-test: P < 0.036) in malignant melanocytic skin lesions (grouping method 1). Further investigations could not improve the results significantly (grouping method 2, 3 and 4).

CONCLUSIONS

The automated RCM image analysis procedure holds promise for further investigations. However, to date our system cannot be applied to routine skin tumour screening.

Common polymorphisms in the interleukin-22 gene are not associated with chronic plaque psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Among other cytokines, interleukin 22 (IL-22) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic plaque psoriasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate a hypothesized association between common IL-22 gene polymorphisms and chronic plaque psoriasis.

METHODS

Genotypes of 10 common polymorphisms of the IL-22 gene were determined by fluorogenic 5' exonuclease assays (TaqMan) in 475 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 252 controls.

RESULTS

Two blocks of high linkage disequilibrium, formed by eight polymorphisms upstream of exon 5 (rs2227485, rs2227491, rs2046068, rs1179251, rs1012356, rs2227501, rs2227503, rs976748) and two polymorphisms in the 3' near gene region (rs1182844, rs1179246), were observed within the IL-22 gene. Neither single polymorphisms nor haplotypes were significantly associated with the presence or clinical features of chronic plaque psoriasis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the investigated IL-22 gene polymorphisms are unlikely major risk factors for chronic plaque psoriasis.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy-guided surgery for neurofibroma

The neurofibromatoses comprise at least two separate genetic disorders with variable clinical features and an unpredictable course. The most common type, neurofibromatosis 1, is characterized by > or = 6 café-au-lait spots and the occurrence of neurofibromas, which may present as cutaneous, subcutaneous or plexiform lesions. Normally, excision of neurofibromas is only indicated in the presence of neurological symptoms, suspicion of malignancy or for exceptional cosmetic reasons. For a good functional and aesthetic result with the least danger of recurrence, the surgeon's goal is to excise as much tissue as necessary and as little tissue as possible. One of the main issues during the surgical procedure is to distinguish between neurofibroma and surrounding tissue. We report for the first time the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy to differentiate between neurofibroma and healthy skin.

Tinea capitis in early infancy treated with itraconazole: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Tinea capitis is the most common fungal infection of the scalp in childhood, but a very rare disorder in the first year of life.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of itraconazole in 7 children aged between 3 and 46 weeks (median: 36 weeks) suffering from tinea capitis caused by Microsporum canis.

METHODS

Prospective case note study. In all patients KOH testing and fungal cultivation on Sabouraud dextrose agar were performed.

RESULTS

7 patients (5 girls and 2 boys) were included in the period between 2001 and 2008. The causative etiologic agent was Microsporum canis in all children. The patients received itraconazole 5mg/kg bodyweight daily for 3 to 6 weeks with no clinically side effects being noted. In all patients clinical and mycological cure could be achieved.

CONCLUSION

Itraconazole proved to be a safe and effective treatment option for Microsporum canis induced tinea capitis in children in their first year of life.