Precision Dermatology: A Review of Molecular Biomarkers and Personalized Therapies

March 2024 in “ Current issues in molecular biology ”

Isabella J. Tan, Alicia Podwojniak, Ameet Parikh, Bernard A. Cohen

alopecia areata psoriasis hidradenitis suppurativa TNF-α IL-1β lipocalin-2 JAK inhibitors adalimumab AI nanotechnology multi-omics AA HS tumor necrosis factor-alpha interleukin-1 beta Janus kinase inhibitors Humira artificial intelligence

Studysummary This literature review explores the role of biomarkers in personalized medicine for various dermatological conditions like Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Psoriasis, and Atopic Dermatitis, highlighting how they guide targeted therapies and the limitations of current markers in specificity, as reported by the authors.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The review "Precision Dermatology: A Review of Molecular Biomarkers and Personalized Therapies" highlights the transformative impact of molecular biomarkers in diagnosing, staging, and treating dermatological conditions such as alopecia areata (AA), psoriasis, and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Key biomarkers like TNF-α, IL-1β, and lipocalin-2 inform targeted therapies, including JAK inhibitors for AA and adalimumab for HS. Despite some biomarkers being more scientifically valuable than clinically practical, advancements in AI, nanotechnology, and multi-omics hold promise for enhancing personalized dermatological care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and treatment efficacy.

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Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

research The Roles of WNT Signaling Pathways in Skin Development and Mechanical-Stretch-Induced Skin Regeneration

2 citations , November 2023 in “Biomolecules”

This review article analyzes the role of the WNT signaling pathway in skin development, wound healing, and mechanical stretching, emphasizing its importance in understanding and potentially advancing treatments for skin-related diseases.

research Biomarkers in Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

4 citations , April 2023 in “Autoimmunity reviews”

This systematic review and meta-analysis reports that patients with alopecia areata have significantly higher serum levels of IL6 and CRP, and lower levels of vitamin D, compared to healthy controls.

research Efficacy and Safety of Ritlecitinib in Adults and Adolescents With Alopecia Areata: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Phase 2b–3 Trial

227 citations , April 2023 in “The Lancet”

Ritlecitinib effectively treats alopecia areata and is well-tolerated.

research The Efficacy and Safety of JAK Inhibitors for Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies

37 citations , August 2022 in “Frontiers in pharmacology”

This study found that oral JAK inhibitors are effective and generally well-tolerated for treating alopecia areata, but high recurrence rates after stopping treatment suggest the need for continuous use.

research Intralesional Vitamin D3 in Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

7 citations , February 2022 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

In this randomized controlled trial, intralesional vitamin D3 injections significantly improved localized alopecia areata symptoms compared to a saline placebo, with minimal and transient side effects, suggesting vitamin D3 as an effective treatment option without needing prior serum vitamin D level measurement.

research Ritlecitinib And Brepocitinib Demonstrate Significant Improvement In Scalp Alopecia Areata Biomarkers

36 citations , December 2021 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology”

This study observed that both ritlecitinib and brepocitinib improved scalp biomarkers in patients with alopecia areata, with associations to hair regrowth seen in this phase 2a trial.

research Effect of PTPN22, FAS/FASL, IL2RA, and CTLA4 Genetic Polymorphisms on Alopecia Areata Risk: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

10 citations , November 2021 in “PLoS ONE”

This study suggests that the T allele of the SNP rs2476601 in the PTPN22 gene may increase the risk of alopecia areata, although further studies are necessary to validate this finding across different populations.

Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor Baricitinib in the Treatment of Adults with Alopecia Areata: Phase 2 Results from a Randomized Controlled Study

research Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor Baricitinib in the Treatment of Adults with Alopecia Areata: Phase 2 Results from a Randomized Controlled Study

66 citations , June 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this phase 2 study, baricitinib at 2 mg and 4 mg doses significantly improved hair regrowth in adults with alopecia areata and ≥50% scalp hair loss compared to placebo, without new safety concerns, although the small sample size limits the results' generalizability.

An Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Moderate to Severe Patch-Type Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

research An Open-Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Tofacitinib in Moderate to Severe Patch-Type Alopecia Areata, Totalis, and Universalis

130 citations , February 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that tofacitinib led to ≥50% hair regrowth in eight out of twelve patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata, suggesting a potential benefit for using JAK inhibitors in treating this condition.

research Macrophages Induce AKT/β-Catenin-Dependent Lgr5+ Stem Cell Activation and Hair Follicle Regeneration Through TNF

117 citations , March 2017 in “Nature Communications”

This study shows that macrophage-induced TNF signaling can activate hair follicle stem cells and promote new hair follicle formation after wounding by regulating AKT/β-catenin pathways.

research Oral Ruxolitinib Induces Hair Regrowth in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Alopecia Areata

196 citations , September 2016 in “JCI insight”

This study explored the effectiveness of the oral JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib in treating patients with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata, building on prior success with JAK inhibitors in mice, but results are not reported in this abstract.

Compartmentalized Epidermal Activation of β-Catenin Differentially Affects Lineage Reprogramming and Underlies Tumor Heterogeneity

research Compartmentalized Epidermal Activation of β-Catenin Differentially Affects Lineage Reprogramming and Underlies Tumor Heterogeneity

54 citations , January 2016 in “Cell reports”

This study found that different epidermal stem cell populations contribute to the formation of various skin tumors and new hair follicles following β-catenin activation in the adult epidermis.