Profiling Immune Expression to Consider Repurposing Therapeutics for the Ichthyoses

Despite extensive discovery about the mutations underlying genetic skin disorders, there have been few therapeutic advances. Better understanding of the molecular changes that may lead to the phenotypic manifestations of genetic disorders may lead to the discovery of new pharmacologic interventions. The ichthyoses are characterized by scaling, inflammation, and an impaired epidermal barrier. Recent studies have uncovered T helper type 17 skewing in ichthyotic skin, resembling psoriasis, and high frequencies of IL-17– and IL-22–expressing T cells in blood, correlating with severity and transepidermal water loss. Repurposing systemic T helper type 17/IL-23–inhibitory therapies for psoriasis may prove useful for patients with ichthyosis.