A new article published in Journal of Pharmacological Sciences reported that the use of biological drugs in psoriasis is replacing traditional therapies due to their specific mechanism and limited side effects. However, the use of Interleukin 17 inhibitors and the modification of its cytokine pathway could favor the risk of fungal infections.

The authors stated that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an active metabolite of vitamin A, with anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties through its capacity to stimulate both innate and adaptive immunity and to its effects on proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in a variety of immune cells. It has been recently discovered that ATRA has a direct fungistatic effect against Candida and Aspergillus fumigatus.

Therefore, it was suggested that the evaluation of serum level of All-trans retinoic acid or vitamin A should be considered as a predictive marker for the development of fungal infections among psoriatic patients treated with Interleukin 17 inhibitors. Vitamin A test could be added in the routine hospital and clinical diagnostic management for a better selection of psoriatic patients eligible to Interleukin 17 inhibitors.

Source: Journal of Pharmacological Sciences.2020 Jun 11;S1347-8613(20)30059-1.doi: 10.1016/j.jphs.2020.06.003.