title: Dithranol treatment of plaque-type psoriasis increases serum TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) mediates not only apoptosis, but also inflammation, cell growth and angiogenesis. The role of TWEAK in psoriasis remains unknown. The aim of the study was to assess serum levels of TWEAK in psoriatic patients before and after topical treatment with dithranol in relation to the clinical activity of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples were collected from 40 patients with plaque type psoriasis before and after topical treatment with dithranol. The concentrations of serum TWEAK were measured by ELISA and next compared with 16 healthy controls. The data were analyzed with respect to Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline serum TWEAK concentrations of psoriatic patients (685±166pg/ml) were significantly greater compared to healthy controls (565±110pg/ml). Topical treatment resulted in further increase in serum TWEAK (749±179pg/ml; p<0.01). In case of patients with initial serum TWEAK concentrations above the median, PASI after topical treatment was lower compared to the individuals with initial TWEAK below the median.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the study, serum Tweak was increased in psoriasis patients compared with controls. Moreover, dithranol topical treatment caused further increase in serum TWEAK. Also, a higher effectiveness of topical treatment was observed in case of patients with higher initial TWEAK concentrations. The results suggest a potential role of TWEAK in psoriasis therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. Electronic address: hanna.mysliwiec@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Myśliwiec
authors.affiliation: I Department of General and Endocrinological Surgery, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Myśliwiec
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baran
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Flisiak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000875:Anthralin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000074049:Cytokine TWEAK; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000074049:Cytokine TWEAK; C109743:TNFSF12 protein, human; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors; D000875:Anthralin
keywords: Anthralin; Dithranol; Psoriasis; TWEAK; Topical treatment