Papers by Annunziata RAIMONDO
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Clinical Drug Investigation
Background and Objective Biologics for psoriasis, especially anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapi... more Background and Objective Biologics for psoriasis, especially anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapies, may reactivate hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, as well in inactive carriers or patients with occult infection. However, some biologics, including anti-interleukin-17 therapies such as secukinumab, seem to be less likely to cause hepatitis reactivation. This study assessed the safety of secukinumab treatment in patients with psoriasis with HBV or HBC infection. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with secukinumab at seven Italian centers. Patients serologically positive for one or more of the following viral hepatitis markers were included: HCV antibody (± HCV-RNA positivity) and/or hepatitis B surface antigen, and/or HBV core antibody and/or HBV surface antibody (± HBV-DNA positivity). Patients received secukinumab 300 mg subcutaneously at week 0/1/2/3/4 then every 4 weeks; prophylactic therapy before starting secukinumab was prescribed where indicated. The primary study endpoint was the reactivation of hepatitis viral infection, defined as conversion to HBV-DNA or HCV-RNA positivity, with or without elevation of transaminases. Results Sixty patients (17 with concomitant psoriatic arthritis) were included. Thirteen subjects were hepatitis B surface antigen positive, 19 were HBV core antibody positive, and 30 were positive for the HCV antibody; however, all were HCV-RNA negative. After 53.5 ± 37.5 weeks of secukinumab therapy, hepatitis reactivation occurred in only one patient, who had a reactivation of both hepatitis B and hepatitis C. This patient had not undergone hepatitis B prophylaxis or hepatitis C treatment before secukinumab. Conclusions These real-world data support the safety of secukinumab in patients with positive markers of HBV or HCV infection, when administered together with dedicated prophylaxis. Plain Language Summary In this retrospective cohort study, 60 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were treated with secukinumab at seven Italian centers. Secukinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-17A, a key cytokine associated with the development of psoriatic disease. All patients had markers of hepatitis B and/or C. Where appropriate, patients received
Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology, 2021
Experimental Dermatology, 2021
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are interrelated inflammatory diseases. Psoriasis usually... more Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are interrelated inflammatory diseases. Psoriasis usually precedes PsA onset and represents a well‐established risk factor for PsA development. Bone erosion is a hallmark of PsA, and the contribution of cutaneous psoriatic inflammation in this process has been demonstrated. However, little is still known on the pathogenetic mechanisms that link psoriatic skin to joint damage. Clinical features of psoriatic disease, including specific body site involvement, seem to be important risk predictors of PsA. The aim of this pilot research study was to investigate if psoriatic cutaneous inflammation, affecting these anatomical predictive sites for PsA, could be linked to osteoclast differentiation and activity. Our results showed that psoriasis skin localizations were positively related to the osteoclastogenic profile in psoriatic patients. These results provide new insights into the fascinating skin‐joint axis concept.
Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis, 2018
This review focuses on recent evidences about human microbiome composition and functions, explori... more This review focuses on recent evidences about human microbiome composition and functions, exploring the potential implication of its impairment in some diffuse and invalidating inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa and acne. We analysed current scientific literature, focusing on the current evidences about gut and skin microbiome composition and the complex dialogue between microbes and the host. Finally, we examined the consequences of this dialogue for health and skin diseases. This review highlights how human microbes interact with different anatomic niches modifying the state of immune activation, skin barrier status, microbe-host and microbe-microbe interactions. It also shows as most of the factors affecting gut and skin microorganisms' activity have demonstrated to be effective also in modulating chronic inflammatory skin diseases. More and more evidences demonstrate that human microbiome plays a key role in human health and diseases. It is to be expected that these new insights will translate into diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive measures in the context of personalized/precision medicine.
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia, Jan 16, 2017
Numerous reports have shown that psoriasis patients are more exposed to lipoprotein peroxidation ... more Numerous reports have shown that psoriasis patients are more exposed to lipoprotein peroxidation and to a decrease in the activity of paraoxonase (PON)1, an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory enzyme. Thus, it has been suggested that malfunction of the anti-oxidant system and an increased production of reactive oxygen species drive immune inflammatory events, that result in progressive skin cell damage in patients with psoriasis. The PON protein family, including PON1, PON2 and PON3, is one of the most important endogenous defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. In the present study, we investigated PON gene expression in psoriasis and in cutaneous oxidative stress. The study population included 10 patients affected by moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and 15 healthy donors who have undergone to plastic surgery, were used as control. Skin punch biopsies of lesional and non lesional psoriatic skin were performed for analysis of PON2 and PON3 gene expression. In addition, oxidat...
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2014
Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is the most recently discovered IL-1 family member. Considered an endogeno... more Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is the most recently discovered IL-1 family member. Considered an endogenous "alarmin" released by necrotic cells in response to tissue injury or damage, IL-33 is constitutively expressed in tissues exposed to the environment, where endothelial and epithelial cells constitute its major sources. Several findings reported that pro-inflammatory stimuli, such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, as well as IL-17, can induce IL-33 expression in normal human epidermal keratinocytes. In the present study, we deeply investigated the relation between IL-33 and TNF-α, by employing the whole skin as study model. TNF-α dose- and time-dependently induced IL-33 gene expression in ex vivo healthy skin organ culture. Similarly, TNF-α significantly increased IL-33 mRNA expression in normal human epidermal sheets. Moreover, IL-33 was enhanced in psoriatic skin and anti-TNF-α therapy was able to significantly reduce it. The biology of IL-33 is gaining in complexity, and this molecule is now known to have additional roles beyond its original description. In particular, we can assess that IL-33 is regulated by TNF-α in normal and psoriatic skin.
Experimental Dermatology, 2018
In this study, we investigated the role of IL-26 in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), highlighti... more In this study, we investigated the role of IL-26 in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), highlighting its contribute in the cytotoxic mechanism responsible of the tissue injury. IL-26 is a signature Th17 cytokine, and immune cells are its predominant sources. Recently, it has shown that Th17 cell-derived-IL-26 functions like an antimicrobial peptide. Here, we hypothesized that IL-26 could be involved in cytotoxicity mechanism, that underlies ACD. Indeed, we have attributed a role to IL-26 in this context, through PBMC cytotoxicity assays versus Hacat. In order to demonstrate that IL-26 was effectively involved in this activity, we performed the assay using transfected ACD PBMCs by siRNA for IL-26. Indeed, we demonstrated that these cells were less able to kill keratinocytes compared to ACD PBMC (p<0.01). In conclusion, our findings support the idea that this emergent cytokine, IL-26, is implicated in the killing mechanisms of KC observed during ACD.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Regardless of rapidly emerging findings on oral lesions described in adult SARS-CoV-2-positive su... more Regardless of rapidly emerging findings on oral lesions described in adult SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects, the evidence level remains quite low and rather contrasting; therefore, the present systematic review of systematic reviews primarily aims to point out the overall prevalence of diagnosed cases. Secondary aims are to estimate the degree of association between oral lesions and SARS-CoV-2 infection and to grade, based on the reported frequency, the primary oral lesions, with related clinical presentations and microscopic features, in relation to COVID-19 forms. A study protocol compliant with the PRISMA statement was developed. Twelve studies were included, reporting highly heterogeneous and incomplete findings, thus precluding a meta-analysis. Further studies should be conducted to assess the overall prevalence of cases diagnosed with oral lesions among adult SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects, especially considering novel viral variants, and to determine their degree of association wit...
Life
Chronic inflammation has a crucial pathogenetic role in many diseases, including cutaneous chroni... more Chronic inflammation has a crucial pathogenetic role in many diseases, including cutaneous chronic inflammatory disorders, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and chronic urticaria [...]
Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia, 2020
Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology, 2021
BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease where interleukin-1... more BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease where interleukin-17 plays an important role in the underlying pathogenesis. IL-17A is a key driver of pro-osteoclastogenic process, that is abnormal in psoriatic patients. Aim of this study was to investigate in vivo the capability of secukinumab to influence the osteoclastogenesis in psoriatic patients reporting also our experience regarding the effectiveness and safety profile of this biological treatment. METHODS Efficacy and tolerability of secukinumab were evaluated after the induction period and 12 weeks. Moreover, to investigate how the cutaneous clinical improvement impacted also on the osteoclastogenic profile of psoriatic patients, the osteoclastogenic assay was performed in 5 secukinumab-treated psoriatic patients, not including psoriatic arthritis, before and after 5 weeks of therapy. RESULTS In line with clinical trials, our results confirmed the efficacy, speed of achievement and safety of secukinumab for the treatment of psoriatic patients. CONCLUSIONS Moreover, in our experiments secukinumab has demonstrated speed of action also on osteoclastogenic process, reducing the number and activity of osteoclasts only after five weeks of treatment.
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2021
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, lifelong, relapsing condition. The wide spectrum of the poss... more Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, lifelong, relapsing condition. The wide spectrum of the possible clinical presentations, depending on patient’s age, age of onset of disease, topography and morphology of dermatitis, limits the epidemiologic information on its prevalence and incidence. A clear definition of the different clinical AD phenotypes and epidemiology is essential for an appropriate patient’s treatment and management, in particular for adults. This review summarizes the most recent epidemiologic data from the 21st century, on AD prevalence and incidence rates either in children or adults, with a special focus on their trends in Europe. Moreover, an effort to categorize diverse AD clinical expressions has been made, aiming to facilitate differential diagnosis and speed up the start of the correct therapy.
PLOS ONE, 2020
Background Knowledge regarding differences in care for psoriatic patients is limited. The aim of ... more Background Knowledge regarding differences in care for psoriatic patients is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing prescription of systemic treatments for patients with psoriasis with a special focus on socioeconomic factors.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2020
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2020
The novel group of immunological agents used for solid tumors has importantly improved the qualit... more The novel group of immunological agents used for solid tumors has importantly improved the quality of life and the survival rate of oncologic patients. Compared to conventional chemotherapy agents, they are more effective and less toxic. However, adverse cutaneous effects are commonly observed, and in some cases, they may induce treatment discontinuation, with heavy impact on patient prognosis. Among these, photosensitive reactions, either phototoxic or photoallergic, are increasing. Much remains to be clarified on the understanding of their prevention, diagnosis, and management. We have reviewed the literature about photosensitive reactions occurring during oncologic immunotherapies. Early dermatological diagnosis and adequate management, with oncologist's cooperation, is fundamental.
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Papers by Annunziata RAIMONDO