Impact of serum interleukin-22 as a biomarker for the differential use of molecular targeted drugs in psoriatic arthritis: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: We explored whether serum cytokines could be used as biomarkers for optimal use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNF-i) and interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors (IL-17-i) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: In cohort 1 (47 patients treated with IL-17-i [n=23] or TNF-i [n=24] for ≥1 year), we identified serum cytokines that predicted the achievement of Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis-remission (DAPSA-REM), Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 90, and Minimal Disease Activity after 1 year of TNF-i or IL-17-i therapy. Subsequently, we developed treatment strategies based on the identified cytokines; initiation of IL-17-i therapy in patients with low IL-22 concentrations (IL-22 <0.61376 pg/ml) and TNF-i therapy in patients with high IL-22 concentrations (0.61376< IL-22 pg/ml). In cohort 2 (34 patients), treatment responses were compared between the strategic treatment group (n=17), which was treated based on the treatment strategies, and the mismatched treatment group (n=17) to verify the validity of the treatment strategies developed using serum cytokines as biomarkers. RESULTS: In cohort 1, serum IL-22 concentration was identified as a predictor of DAPSA-remission after 1 year of IL-17-i therapy. Regarding treatment strategies, we selected TNF-i for patients with high IL-22 concentrations and IL-17-i for those with low IL-22 concentrations. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the strategic and mismatched treatment groups. Regarding treatment effects, activity significantly improved at 1 year in both groups. Upon comparison of the treatment effects, the rate of achieving DAPSA-REM and Minimal Disease Activity at month 12 was significantly higher in the strategic treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study suggest that IL-22 may be a biomarker of treatment response to TNF-i and IL-17-i in patients with PsA. Further large-scale studies in independent, prospectively collected datasets are required to verify that IL-22 is indeed a biomarker of treatment response in these patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-022-02771-4.