INTERLEUKIN-6 AND TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR LEVELS DECREASE IN THE SUCTION BLISTER FLUIDS OF PSORIATIC PATIENTS DURING EFFECTIVE THERAPY

Background. Involvement of various cytokines in psoriasis pathomechani sms has previously been reported. Objective: To better define the rela tionship between the disease severity and interleukin-6 and tumour nec rosis factor cc skin levels, these two cytokines were measured in suct ion blister fluids obtained from involved and uninvolved skin areas of psoriatic patients treated with UVB, betamethasone dipropionate and s alicylic acid ointment. Methods: Determinations were performed by ELIS A in fluids obtained from 6 patients with the Kiistala method, every 1 -2 weeks for at least 1 month. Results: During the observation period, all the patients showed disease improvement (median PASI score declin ed from 13.4 to 3.9) and significant decreases in the cytokine levels in all samples. Conclusion: These results are in agreement with a func tional involvement of these two cytokines in the pathogenesis of the d isease and their possible use as follow-up markers.