Faster diagnosis & treatment for psoriasis leading to better healthcare

Traditionally, a patient diagnosed with psoriasis usually had to try several different creams, light therapies, or systemic drugs, often for months at a time, until a solution was found. Now however, doctors and dermatologists use biomarker and genetic testing to analyse a patient’s specific immune profile before a single prescription is written. This shift is happening now because we have identified that psoriasis is not a single disease; it is a complex immune reaction that takes different paths in different people.

In essence, psoriasis occurs when the body’s immune system makes skin cells grow much faster than usual, so instead of taking weeks to renew, they do so in days, leading to red, itchy patches. Some people have specific mutations in their DNA that make them more prone to psoriasis, or they will dictate how their body reacts to certain triggers.

With genetic testing, a swab of your cheek or a blood sample will help us to look for specific genes that are known to be linked to psoriasis. This can indicate whether any flare-ups are likely to be severe or potentially lead to psoriatic arthritis.

Biomarkers are revealed through a blood test or skin biopsy. From this, we can see whether a specific protein (ie cytokines) spikes when the individual’s immune system is overreacting.

So for example, if the patient is shown to have high levels of a specific protein in their body, they may be prescribed a drug that will block only that specific protein. Alternatively, if they have low inflammation markers, a milder treatment such as UV light therapy or topical cream might be more suitable.

This technique then, offers a faster path towards a solution for psoriasis. Leaving the condition unsuccessfully treated for long periods increases the risk of psoriatic arthritis and even heart disease. By getting the inflammation under control much faster though, the patient’s overall long-term health is significantly improved.