Interleukin-8 Levels in the Stratum Corneum as a Biomarker for Monitoring Therapeutic Effect in Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The stratum corneum contains several growth factors and cytokines that are synthesized in keratinocytes. We previously reported that the amount of interleukin-8 in the stratum corneum (scIL-8) is related to the severity of local skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD). However, it is unknown whether scIL-8 levels reflect pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention in AD patients. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate whether the improvement of dermatitis in AD is correlated with scIL-8 levels before and after topical corticosteroid treatment. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Stratum corneum samples were collected from 22 AD patients using the noninvasive tape-stripping method before treatment, 2 weeks after topical treatment, and 4–6 weeks after treatment. <b><i>Results:</i></b> scIL-8 levels on the forearm reduced significantly from 790 ± 348 pg/mg before treatment to 163 ± 68 pg/mg 2 weeks after treatment and 100 ± 37 pg/mg 4–6 weeks after corticosteroid treatment. scIL-8 levels on the abdomen also reduced significantly from 902 ± 391 to 142 ± 38 pg/mg at the end of study. The reduction in scIL-8 levels was associated with the improvement in local skin severity in AD. We also found that scIL-8 levels, along with blood biomarker levels (serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, lactate dehydrogenase, and %eosinophil), decreased significantly after the treatment. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The scIL-8 concentration decreases with improvements in skin symptoms in AD patients after topical corticosteroid treatment; thus, it may be a suitable biomarker for monitoring therapeutic effects in AD patients.