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Archives of Dermatological Research
Published in: Archives of Dermatological Research 5/2018

01-07-2018 | Review

IL-17 inhibition: is it the long-awaited savior for alopecia areata?

Authors: Yuval Ramot, Barbara Marzani, Daniela Pinto, Elisabetta Sorbellini, Fabio Rinaldi

Published in: Archives of Dermatological Research | Issue 5/2018

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Abstract

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a large number of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including skin disorders such as psoriasis. Recently, much data have accumulated on the possible role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA). In this review, the available information on the connection between AA and IL-17 is described. While IL-17 levels are consistently reported to be elevated in the serum and lesional skin of AA patients, there is no clear connection between IL-17 levels and disease severity or duration. Some evidence has suggested an association between IL-17 and an early-onset disease, although this awaits further confirmation. While there is enough information to support clinical trials with IL-17-targeted treatments, it is possible that they will be effective only in a subset of AA patients. Further studies are warranted to better delineate the exact role of IL-17 in AA pathogenesis.
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Metadata
Title
IL-17 inhibition: is it the long-awaited savior for alopecia areata?
Authors
Yuval Ramot
Barbara Marzani
Daniela Pinto
Elisabetta Sorbellini
Fabio Rinaldi
Publication date
01-07-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Archives of Dermatological Research / Issue 5/2018
Print ISSN: 0340-3696
Electronic ISSN: 1432-069X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-018-1823-y

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