Atopic dermatitis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease, characterized by intense itching that causes discomfort for the patients. The heterogenicity of the patient population includes different trajectories. Some are transient, some relapse and others may progress to develop other type II inflammatory diseases, such as asthma or allergic rhinitis.
Patients who have atopic dermatitis share characteristics of an increased level of tissue remodeling and immune cell activity. Tissue-specific biomarkers, quantifying and monitoring epidermal damage, dermal damage and immune cell activity, provide key advantages when we want to understand the disease mechanisms and complexity of atopic dermatitis and type II inflammation. In fact, tissue-specific biomarkers may fast-track targeted successful treatments.
Our dermatology biomarker panels offer extracellular matrix-based biomarkers, which are fundamentally more different and more specific compared to what’s offered by omics providers. Our technology provides valuable insights into tissue formation, degradation, and resolution, that offer a deeper understanding of pathological processes related to skin diseases. At the same time, proteomics providers' wide-range arrays may not offer the same level of specificity.
There are several aspects of unmet needs in atopic dermatitis. These needs could be addressed by utilizing biomarkers to help with diagnosing, monitoring disease activity and disease severity, defining disease heterogeneity, and identifying novel therapeutic targets. Predictive biomarkers allow the selection of therapy with greater reliability of response, and whether the patients progress to develop another type II inflammatory disease. This understanding is key to better patient treatment.
Our dermatology markers enable precision medicine by providing information about ongoing pathological processes, such as damage and repair, within the ECM. This can guide targeted treatments and therapies, enhancing patient outcomes and personalized medicine approaches. At the same time, our markers, supported by our long history of experience and expertise, expedite drug development by specifically identifying target populations and reducing costs, over proteomic providers’ hopes to hit the right target by chance.
Our technology is robust and meets CLSI validation guidelines. Additionally, our derma markers can be adapted to the Roche automated platforms, making the biomarkers easily accessible worldwide. This scalability and reliability are crucial for developing dependable diagnostic tools.
Tissue remodeling and immune cell activity are key features of atopic dermatitis. Quantifying disease severity and response to treatment can provide a unique insight into structural and functional changes in disease pathogenesis (Figure 1).
The alpha-6 chain of type VI collagen has been shown to play a crucial role, and the COL6A6 gene is upregulated in atopic dermatitis. The Nordic Bioscience biomarker C6A6 quantifies this chain in serum from patients with atopic dermatitis. The C6A6 biomarker is associated with the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and shows a decrease in response to calcineurin inhibitors, as illustrated in Figure 2.
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Figure 1. C6A6 biomarker shows disease severity of atopic dermatitis | Figure 2. C6A6 biomarker levels were lowered with topical calcineurin inhibitors. |
 | The skin is the largest organ of the human body, and consists of three different layers; epidermis, dermis and subcutis. These three layers have distinct tissue architectures and functions. Skin functions are dependent on a complex composition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The ECM of the skin can be divided into the epidermal ECM, epidermal basement membrane and the papillary/reticular ECM. The major ECM components of the skin are collagens, which are located in the different tissue compartments to maintain tissue architecture. The Nordic ProteinFingerPrint Technology™ allows for the quantification of the different layers of the skin, and also the quantification of immune cell activity involved in different pathologies (Mast Cells, Neutrophils, and macrophages). |
Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema affecting 5% of the population. It affects the upper layer of the skin and typically appears in early childhood. For some patients, it clears up before adulthood, while others have the condition throughout their life.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis are itchy rash, inflammation, and dry skin, and is currently diagnosed by a physical examination and medical history. Upon diagnosis, moisturizers or topical steroids are often used as the first-line of treatment for mild cases, while severe cases may receive biologicals and oral treatments.
Atopic dermatitis is characterized as a dermatological disease where the tissue architecture is being remodeled. The main component of the skin are collagens, which are remodeled as a part of the normal homeostasis of the skin. In atopic dermatitis, there is an imbalance of tissue build-up and tissue break down, resulting in a net degradation of the tissue. Nordic Bioscience's biomarkers can quantify skin tissue turnover directly in a serum sample and serve as a liquid biopsy.
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