Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A and IL-23 levels in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease that leads to scar formation. The immune pathogenesis of HS is not fully understood and inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-17, IL-1, IL-23 can be used for treating HS. Identification of serum biomarkers may help understanding individual differences in HS pathogenesis, evaluating disease severity and developing more effective treatment methods.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A, IL-23 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with HS and to evaluate the impact of treatment on cytokine levels.

METHODS

Serum proinflammatory cytokine and hs-CRP levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits in 24 healthy controls and in 26 HS patients at baseline and after a 3-month treatment. Patients were treated with clindamycin, adalimumab, dapsone, doxycycline and acitretin, based on HS condition and laboratory results. Control, pre-treatment and post-treatment values were compared.

RESULTS

HS patients had significantly higher hs-CRP levels than controls which decreased following treatment (p = 0,010, p = 0,007). No significant difference was found in serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A, IL-23 compared to controls and post-treatment levels.

CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient data to suggest TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A and IL-23 as serum biomarkers in HS. hs-CRP can be used as an indicator of treatment response and systemic inflammation.