Reduction of Serum Interleukin-17 and Interleukin-23 Levels Following Narrow Band Ultraviolet B Treatment in Patients with Moderate-to-severe Psoriasis Vulgaris.

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis, a common skin disorder, involves immune cells and cytokines in its pathogenesis. Narrow band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) treatment has demonstrated efficacy and safety in managing this condition.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess changes in serum interleukin (IL)-17, IL-23, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels during NB-UVB treatment for psoriasis vulgaris.

METHODS

An interventional, pre-post comparative study was conducted on patients with moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris undergoing NB-UVB treatment. Patients were randomly allocated to Group 1 (n=39) receiving NB-UVB based on minimal erythema dose (MED) and Group 2 (n=32) based on Fitzpatrick skin type classification. Serum IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-α levels were measured before treatment and upon achieving PASI75.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in serum IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-α levels between Group 1 and Group 2 at either time point. In Group 1, IL-17 levels decreased from median 2.6 pg/ml before treatment to 2.5 pg/ml at PASI75 (P=0.0107). In Group 2, IL-23 levels decreased from median 9.6 pg/ml pre-treatment to 1.3 pg/ml at PASI75 (P<0.0190). Across all patients, pre-treatment IL-17 and IL-23 levels (median 2.6 pg/ml and 7.1 pg/ml, respectively) were significantly higher compared to levels at PASI75 (P=0.0349 and P=0.0023, respectively).

CONCLUSION

NB-UVB effectively treats moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris, leading to reduced serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels irrespective of MED-based or skin type-based dosing strategies.