Serum interleukin-6 concentration in patients with pemphigus


Published: 1 February 2024
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Authors

  • Thai Van Thanh Le Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City; Department of Dermatology and Skin Aesthetics, University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
  • Anh Tuan Ngo Department of Dermatology and Skin Aesthetics, University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6610-5230
  • Quoc Hung Ta Department of Dermatology and Skin Aesthetics, University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
  • The Bich Thanh Vuong Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

Pemphigus is a rare blistering autoimmune disease that damages the integumentary system and lowers the quality of life of patients. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been linked to the immunopathogenesis of pemphigus, according to recent research. Thus, the investigation purpose was to assess the function of IL-6 in the development and intensity of pemphigus disease. Between January 2022 and August 2022, a case-series study involving 26 patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), four patients with pemphigus foliaceus (PF), and 20 healthy volunteers was carried out at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato-Venereology. Patients with PV and PF had significantly higher serum IL-6 concentrations than healthy volunteers (p<0.001). Patients with a positive Nikolsky sign had significantly higher serum IL-6 concentrations than those with a negative sign (p<0.001). The serum IL-6 concentration and the pemphigus disease area index were found to significantly correlate (r=0.8, p<0.001). According to our findings, IL-6 might be a significant factor in pemphigus development and severity. Thus, novel treatments that specifically target IL-6 could be a good option for managing pemphigus, particularly in its more severe forms.


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Le, T. V. T., Ngo, A. T., Ta, Q. H., & Vuong, T. B. T. (2024). Serum interleukin-6 concentration in patients with pemphigus. Dermatology Reports, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/dr.2024.9868

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