A New Hope for Patients with Inflammatory Skin Diseases
Millions of Americans suffer from chronic inflammatory skin condition that have no clear cause and often lack effective treatments beyond symptom management. Now, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) have identified a previously unknown skin disease, paving the way for precision-based diagnostic testing and targeted therapies.
Discovery of a Novel Skin Disease
In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers described a new skin disease affecting a male patient with erythroderma. His condition caused 80% of his skin to be covered with red, exfoliating lesions that burned and itched. After months of treatment with traditional therapies—including prednisone, anti-itch creams, and immunosuppressive drugs—he found little relief.
To investigate further, researchers used an innovative blood test based on flow cytometry to analyze individual circulating blood cells and identify specific cytokine signatures. “We developed a new method using peripheral blood flow cytometry-based immunophenotyping, allowing us to detect a novel, severe, and potentially life-threatening skin disease,” said corresponding author Dr. Shawn Kwatra, the Joseph W. Burnett Endowed Professor and Chair of Dermatology at UMSOM.
Understanding Erythroderma and Its Challenges
Erythroderma is a rare but severe inflammatory skin condition that spreads across most of the body, leading to redness, scaling, and peeling. This damage disrupts the body’s ability to regulate temperature and can cause severe fluid and protein loss, leading to life-threatening complications.
Dr. Kwatra and his team aimed to identify the immune system components responsible for this skin condition. They used their newly patented flow cytometry technique to immunophenotype the disease. They discovered that interleukin-13 (IL-13) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels were significantly elevated in the patient. The levels were higher compared to healthy individuals and those with other known causes of erythroderma.
A Precision-Based Treatment Approach
Armed with this knowledge, the researchers initiated a targeted treatment using monoclonal antibodies, dupilumab and secukinumab, designed to block IL-13 and IL-17. The results were remarkable. “These cytokines appeared to be the key drivers of the disease,” said first author Dr. Hannah Cornman, a dermatology resident at the University of North Carolina.
Once the patient began dual therapy, his symptoms dramatically decreased and eventually disappeared, essentially curing him of erythroderma. Researchers tracked the decline in disease-causing cells. They also monitored the reduction of IL-13 and IL-17 levels in his blood throughout treatment.
Future Implications for Skin Disease Diagnostics
As reported by medicallxpress, this breakthrough not only uncovered a new skin disease but also led to the development of a novel diagnostic test. “We created a diagnostic tool to identify an unknown inflammatory skin disease and initiate appropriate treatment. Now, we are working to expand this test for other inflammatory skin conditions,” said Dr. Kwatra.
Co-authors from Duke University, George Washington University, and Johns Hopkins University Schools of Medicine contributed to this groundbreaking research.
Dr. Mark T. Gladwin, Dean of UMSOM, emphasized the significance of this development: “This research marks an important step toward sophisticated diagnostic tools that use immunophenotyping to identify the root causes of non-specific inflammatory conditions. Patients need access to precision-based therapies that can help them manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.”
A Step Toward Precision Medicine
This discovery is a major advancement in dermatology and immunology. It offers new hope for patients with unexplained inflammatory skin diseases. By combining advanced diagnostic techniques with targeted treatments, researchers are paving the way for more effective, personalized medical solutions.