Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Psoriasis

Immune checkpoint therapy has primarily been developed and approved for the treatment of various cancers, also applied in the treatment of psoriasis.

Introduction of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder characterized by abnormal immune activation, leading to inflammation and rapid turnover of skin cells to form red patches of skin covered with silvery white scales. Certain immune cells, including T cells, become overactive and release pro-inflammatory cytokines which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Potential Role of Immune Checkpoints in Psoriasis

Immune checkpoint therapy aims to modulate these aberrant immune responses by targeting specific checkpoints on immune cells. Immune checkpoint therapy can reduce the symptoms of psoriasis by suppressing certain parts of the immune system. Immune checkpoint therapy can significantly improve symptoms and conditions in patients with psoriasis, a study has found. Specifically, this approach inhibits the function of T cells and dendritic cells, thereby reducing skin inflammation and dander production. There are also biological therapies targeting specific cytokines involved in psoriasis, such as TNF-alpha, IL-23, and IL-17. These approaches aim to modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation.

Clinical Research of Immune Checkpoints in Psoriasis

Preliminary research suggests that immune checkpoint molecules, such as PD-1 and CTLA-4, may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Studies have shown upregulation of PD-1 and CTLA-4 on T cells within psoriatic lesions. This suggests that blocking these immune checkpoints could potentially suppress the abnormal immune responses associated with psoriasis. Some early-stage clinical trials are investigating the use of ICIs in psoriasis. For example, some anti-PD-1 antibodies have been explored in small-scale trials with promising initial results. It has been also discovered that PD-1 can be targeted to decrease IL-17A⁺ T cells in order to treat psoriatic inflammation.

Fig 1 PD-1 expression on IL-17A⁺ T cells in patients with psoriatic skin.¹

Advantages of Immune Checkpoints in Psoriasis

While immune checkpoint therapy is not currently a standard treatment for psoriasis, there are potential advantages that could make it an effective therapeutic approach in the future. Here are some potential advantages:

• Targeting aberrant immune activation: Psoriasis is characterized by chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, including the activation of pro-inflammatory T cell responses. Immune checkpoint therapy has the potential to regulate or inhibit these aberrant immune responses by blocking inhibitory checkpoints or activating co-stimulatory checkpoints. This can help restore immune balance and reduce inflammation in the skin.
• Specificity and precision: Immune checkpoint therapy can selectively target immune checkpoint molecules without broadly suppressing the immune system. By specifically inhibiting or activating certain checkpoints involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, it may be possible to achieve disease control while minimizing the risk of systemic immunosuppression and associated side effects.
• Potential for durable response: In some cases, immune checkpoint therapy has demonstrated long-lasting and durable responses in cancer patients. If similar responses can be achieved in psoriasis, it could provide a more sustained relief from symptoms compared to current treatments that often require continuous and prolonged use. This could improve patients' quality of life and reduce the burden of ongoing treatment.

It is important to note that while immune checkpoint therapy holds promise for psoriasis treatment, more research is needed to fully understand the role of immune checkpoints in the disease and to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of these therapies specifically in psoriasis patients. Creative Biolabs offers relevant expert services to assist you in handling challenges and making your project a success. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any additional information.

Reference

1. Kim, Jong Hoon et al. "Programmed cell death ligand 1 alleviates psoriatic inflammation by suppressing IL-17A production from programmed cell death 1-high T cells." The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology vol. 137,5 (2016): 1466-1476.

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