Study Identifies Genetic Polymorphisms as Predictive Markers of Psoriasis Treatment Efficacy

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A recent study published in Experimental Dermatology explored the genetic foundations of psoriasis treatment outcomes, focusing on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as potential predictive biomarkers. The study identified genetic polymorphisms as predictive markers of treatment efficacy.

According to researchers, biological therapies, such as IL-17, IL-12&23, and TNF-α inhibitors, have outperformed conventional treatments, but patient responses vary due to individual genetic heterogeneity. Pharmacogenetic studies have identified SNPs as potential markers for treatment response, prompting this study's objective: to establish links between specific SNPs and clinical responses to biological therapies in moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

The study involved 88 patients undergoing biological treatment for psoriasis. Salivary samples were analyzed for 21 selected SNPs related to psoriasis and immunological diseases. Treatment effectiveness was assessed using Relative Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) at 3 and 12 months for different biological treatments.

Out of the 21 selected SNPs, 15 showed significant associations with clinical responses to various biological treatments. Furthermore, SNPs in genes like TLR2, TLR5, IL12B, TNFAIP3, SLC12A8, HLA-C, TIRAP, and PGLYRP4 demonstrated strong correlations with increased short and long-term therapy-effectiveness rates.

Patients across different biological treatments achieved positive and significant responses, with most reaching PASI response ≥75 or absolute PASI<1, regardless of the specific drug administered.

These findings propose a potential role for these polymorphisms as predictive markers for treatment response, wrote Loras et al.

"In this study, the best efficacy rates of treatment were achieved with the anti-IL-23 treatment. Approximately 67% and 100% of patients attained a PASI<1 and PASI<3 respectively, and 82% were classified as super-responders (PASI≥90)," they wrote. "Our study revealed a strong relationship between the SNP rs2916205 of the PGLYRP4 gene and the long-term efficacy of anti-IL-12&23 treatment in psoriatic patients."

Reference

Loras A, Gil-Barrachina M, Hernando B, et al. Association between several immune response-related genes and the effectiveness of biological treatments in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Exp Dermatol. Published January 4, 2024. Accessed January 10, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.15003