Can’t Diagnose That Skin Disease?

In addition to the diagnostic benefits, the genetic abnormalities found to be unique to psoriasis can be utilized as new drug targets. This would expand available treatment options while potentially reducing the risk of impacting unrelated cells and pathways of the immune system. The authors note that “~20 to 50% of patients still do not achieve substantial improvement on a given drug,” emphasizing the need for additional drug targets. [2]

To facilitate diagnostic potential, the authors launched an online resource, RashX, where invited researchers can submit the molecular profile of indeterminate rash samples to identify psoriasis-like or AD-like abnormalities. RashX is currently based on the same 10X Genomics scRNA-seq technology used in the study, which requires institutions to have the correct expertise, funding, and equipment to utilize the tool. However, the authors are looking to expand accessibility through alternative profiling approaches, such as immunofluorescence technology.

Paralleling the single cell RNA-sequencing research that enabled development of the RashX Precision Medicine platform, Dr. Cheng was selected as a 2021 National Psoriasis Foundation Discovery Grant awardee. This proof-of-concept research award aims to “use new single cell profiling approaches, with an emphasis on highly multiplexed immunofluorescence to improve classification, provide insight into molecular drivers, and identify biomarkers for treatment responsiveness of psoriatic subtypes,” explained Dr. Cheng.

With regard to the future directions of their research, “We anticipate expanding this approach to create a standardized framework to place rashes in the context of large existing datasets,” Dr. Cheng said, “to link an individual rash’s molecular features to disease prognosis and drug response based on contributions from clinical centers worldwide.”