Interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor levels decrease in the suction blister fluids of psoriatic patients during effective therapy.

BACKGROUND: Involvement of various cytokines in psoriasis pathomechanisms has previously been reported.
OBJECTIVE: To better define the relationship between the disease severity and interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha skin levels, these two cytokines were measured in suction blister fluids obtained from involved and uninvolved skin areas of psoriatic patients treated with UVB, beta-methasone dipropionate and salicylic acid ointment.
METHODS: Determinations were performed by ELISA 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 declined from 13.4 to 3.9) and significant decreases in the cytokine levels in all samples.
CONCLUSION: These results are in agreement with a functional involvement of these two cytokines in the pathogenesis of the disease and their possible use as follow-up markers.