Skin Inflammation Modulation via TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-12 Family Inhibitors Therapy and Cancer Control in Patients with Psoriasis

Int J Mol Sci. 2022 May 6;23(9):5198. doi: 10.3390/ijms23095198.

Abstract

The systemic inflammatory syndrome concept is one of the foundations that stand at the basis of revolutionary modern and future therapies, based on the in-depth understanding of the delicate mechanisms that govern the collaboration between the systems and organs of the human body and, at the same time, the fine balance that ensures a reproach-free operation. An interesting concept that we propose is that of the environment-inadequacy status, a concept that non-specifically incorporates all the situations of the organism's response disorders in the face of imprecisely defined situations of the environment. The correlation between these two concepts will define the future of modern medicine, along with the gene-adjustment mechanisms. Psoriasis is a clear example of an inadequate body response as a result of exposure to as of yet undefined triggers with an excessive systemic inflammatory reaction and hitherto insufficiently controllable. Modern biological therapies, such as TNF-α, IL-12 family, and IL-17 inhibitors, are intended to profoundly reshape the cytokine configuration of patients with inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, with tremendous success in disease control. Yet, because of the important roles of cytokines in cancer promotion and control, concern was raised about the fact that the use of biologicals may alter immune surveillance and promote cancer progression. Both theoretical and practical data nevertheless showed that the treatment-induced control of cytokines may be beneficial for reducing the inflammatory milieu that promotes cancer and such have a beneficial role in maintaining health. We briefly present the intricate roles of those cytokine families on cancer control, with some debates on if their inhibition might or might not promote additional tumoral development.

Keywords: biologic therapy; cancer; environment-inadequacy status; psoriasis; systemic inflammatory syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Cytokines
  • Dermatitis*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Interleukin-12
  • Interleukin-17
  • Psoriasis* / drug therapy
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-17
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-12

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.