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.