Study on Certain Biomarkers of Inflammation in Psoriasis Through “OMICS” Platforms

BACKGROUND: In recent years, research on psoriasis has focused on the identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis, pathogenesis, prognosis, or therapeutic response of the disease. These studies could provide insights into the susceptibility and natural history of psoriasis. The identification of biomarkers related to comorbidities in psoriasis, such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and the metabolic syndrome, is of special clinical interest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an extensive review on psoriasis biomarkers, including cytokine and growth factors, in the literature published between 1997 and 2013, including cross-references of any retrieved articles. We also included some data from our own studies. RESULTS: This review presents current knowledge of soluble biomarkers in psoriasis, including cytokines, chemokines, proangiogenic mediators, growth factors, antimicrobial proteins, neuropeptides, and oxidative stress markers. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a number of studies have been conducted with the aim of establishing soluble biomarkers for psoriasis. Most of the biomarkers that have been studied do not meet the criteria for a clinically useful biomarker. Further work is needed to establish a role for soluble biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis, with a special focus on biomarkers for psoriasis comorbidities, such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and the metabolic syndrome.