Dendritic cells as predictive markers of responsiveness to hydroxychloroquine treatment in primary cicatricial alopecia patients

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Dendritic cells as predictive markers of responsiveness to hydroxychloroquine treatment in primary cicatricial alopecia patients Via Wiley: Dermatologic Therapy: Table of Contents Abstract Introduction Primary cicatricial alopecia (PCA) encompasses a diverse group of inflammatory diseases characterized by the irreversible replacement of hair follicle structures by fibrous tissue. Although the pathogenesis of PCA remains not fully understood, the key to its understanding might be the location of dendritic cells (DCs) inflammatory infiltrate. One of the systemic therapy of choice in PCA patients is hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Objectives We hypothesized that DCs are implicated in PCA pathogenesis and that they might constitute the biological target of HCQ treatment. For these reasons we investigated whether dendritic cells could affect the antimalarial responsiveness, and if dendritic cells might be used as predictive factor of responsiveness to HCQ. Methods In this retrospective cohort study sixty‐five patients diagnosed with PCA were grouped accordingly to their response to hydroxychloroquine therapy. Skin biopsies had been taken before the treatment was started. Cell count was performed on immunohistochemistry by using characteristic monoclonal antibodies to specific subpopulations of dendritic cells. Results In almost every second patient (47,7%) we observed remission of the disease during HCQ treatment. The number of plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cells as well as Langerhans cells in lesional skin of HCQ responders was higher in comparison with HCQ non‐responders. Moreover, in a predictive model (ROC curve) we showed that plasmacytoid dendritic cells might be used as a predictive factor of responsiveness to HCQ. Conclusion The results of this study are important as identifying biomarkers for responsiveness to a HCQ therapy will be helpful to individualize treatment and make it more effective. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.