Cathepsin S, a new pruritus biomarker in clinical dandruff/seborrhoeic dermatitis evaluation.

Dandruff/seborrhoeic dermatitis (D/SD) is characterized by Malassezia colonization, impaired barrier function with subsequent inflammation, resulting in dandruff and itching. Histamine is one of the biomarkers of pruritus now widely used in treatment efficacy trials. The exact mechanism leading to histamine release and pruritus is not yet clear. However, it could involve cathepsin S, an activator of proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of cathepsin S, PAR2 and histamine in patients with D/SD compared with healthy subjects through non-invasive sampling of the scalp and to correlate those markers with D/SD clinical parameters. A significant increase in the three biological markers was observed in the D/SD group versus healthy subjects, and those markers were correlated with clinical parameters. In conclusion, cathepsin S could be a potential marker of pruritus in D/SD and could help assessing the effect of treatments.