Tape Strips Detect Hidradenitis Suppurativa Biomarkers, Novel Study Shows
Tape stripping has emerged as a reliable and minimally invasive technique for identifying cutaneous biomarkers in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), according to a groundbreaking study. Researchers have found that tape strips, which gently sample the epidermis to the midgranular layer, offer valuable insights into the disease and could potentially revolutionize clinical practice.
Led by Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD, professor and chair of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine, the study used RNA sequencing from large D-Squame tape strips to analyze the skin of 22 patients with HS. They compared it with skin samples from 21 healthy controls. The researchers focused on correlating the expression of skin biomarkers between the tape strips and previously published gene signatures of HS biopsies.
The findings revealed a significant upregulation of inflammatory biomarkers in HS patients, particularly within the Th1, Th17, Th2, and Th22 pathways. These biomarkers included cytokines such as IFNG, CXCL9/10/11, CCR5, interleukin (IL)-17A/F, IL12B, IL23A, CAMP, CCL20, IL4R, IL13/IL31/IL10, CCR4, CCL7/CCL13/CCL24, TNFSF4/OX40L, TNFRSF4/OX40, IL22, and IL32.
We were quite surprised to discover that tape stripping, a minimally invasive technique that samples only the upper layers of the epidermis, could identify products and processes typically associated with deeper layers of the skin, Dr. Guttman-Yassky stated. The correlation we observed between the tape-stripped-derived molecular profile and biopsies, as well as clinical disease severity, was unexpected and promising.
Furthermore, the study found a strong correlation between the expression of biomarkers in tape-stripped nonlesional skin and HS clinical severity. Biomarkers such as IL-17 and TNF alpha demonstrated notable associations with disease severity, providing crucial insights into early-stage HS.
While the potential application of tape stripping in diagnosing and treating HS is evident, larger cohort studies are needed to validate its effectiveness. Currently, the cost implications of this approach remain uncertain. Dr. Guttman-Yassky expressed hope for future developments emphasizing early disease detection and tailored treatment plans.
Responding to the study’s findings, dermatologist Jennifer L. Hsiao, MD, highlighted the importance of personalizing treatments for patients with early HS in a minimally invasive manner. Despite the limitation of tape strips sampling only the epidermis, catching patients in the early stages of the disease can significantly mitigate long-term damage and improve therapeutic outcomes.
As the medical community focuses on early diagnosis and intervention, future studies exploring the correlation between tape strip results and clinical phenotypes, disease progression, and therapeutic responses will be eagerly anticipated.
The study, while limited by its small sample size and the epidermal focus of tape stripping, represents a promising leap forward in understanding and managing HS. By providing clinicians with accessible and noninvasive methods of monitoring biomarkers, this novel technique has the potential to advance both the diagnosis and treatment of HS.
As efforts continue to validate and refine tape stripping for larger-scale implementation, the medical community remains optimistic about its transformative impact on HS management. By deciphering the molecular profiles of skin samples and correlating them with disease severity, clinicians can make better-informed decisions about treatment plans and offer personalized care to patients.
