Plasma IL-17A, IFN-γ, and MIP-3α profiles are associated with clinical stage transition in first-episode psychosis.

BACKGROUND

Early detection of individuals at risk for clinical deterioration in first-episode psychosis (FEP) remains a vital challenge in psychiatric care. Emerging evidence indicates that immune dysregulation might play a crucial role in the pathophysiology and progression of psychotic disorders. This study examined associations between a plasma cytokine and chemokine panel and clinical stage transition in FEP patients.

METHODS

Using multiplex immunoassays, plasma samples from a small cohort of 35 FEP patients were screened for the quantification of 21 analytes. Participants were clinically assessed at baseline and follow-up and classified according to a validated staging model. Data were used to assess associations with clinical stability over a 12-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

IL-17A was increased in transitioning patients (uncorrected p = 0.045; adjusted p = 0.64 after correction for multiple comparisons). A logistic regression model combining IL-17A, IFN-γ and MIP-3α discriminated between groups with an AUC of 0.853 in this exploratory cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the potential relevance of neuroimmune mechanisms in the development of psychotic disorders and suggest that immunological markers may merit further consideration within staging-based models of care, pending external validation. Incorporating cytokine profiling into clinical practice may potentially inform personalized treatment strategies and lead to better long-term outcomes for individuals with FEP.