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Abstract: Biologics show great efficacy in treating psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. The high cost and side‐effects of biologics, dose‐reduction, elongation of administration interval and suspension are possible options. However, there has been no reliable biomarker we can use when we consider these moderations in therapy. This study was conducted to test the possibility of using serum thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine (TARC) level as an indicator for step down of biologic therapy. Serum TARC level was measured in 70 psoriatic patients at Asahikawa Medical University, and a correlation of TARC and severity of skin lesions was analyzed. Referring to serum TARC level, psoriatic patients can be divided into two groups. One is a population in which serum TARC level is positively correlated with severity of skin lesions, and the other is a population with low psoriatic severity and high TARC level. Serum TARC level was higher in the group that achieved PASI‐clear with biologics than in the group which did not achieve PASI‐clear. Among biologics, the group treated with secukinumab, an anti‐interleukin (IL)‐17A agent, showed significantly higher TARC level compared with the group treated with anti‐tumor necrosis factor agents. In certain populations achieving PASI‐clear, serum TARC level may be a potent marker reflecting better response to IL‐17A inhibitors, and in this case step down of treatment for psoriasis is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (sTARC) levels reflect disease severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) in small study populations. It remains unclear whether sTARC is a reliable outcome measurement for AD severity in heterogeneous AD populations in daily practice. Objective We sought to assess the utility of sTARC as a biomarker for monitoring AD severity in adults in daily practice. Methods sTARC, clinical skin score (Six Area, Six Sign AD [SASSAD]), and body surface area measurements were collected from all adult patients with AD visiting our clinic between March 2009 and March 2012, at first visit or exacerbation (baseline). In addition, data from short-term and long-term follow-up visits were collected. Results At baseline sTARC levels ranged widely (n = 320; minimum-maximum: 3-50,400 pg/mL) and sTARC and SASSAD or body surface area correlated moderately. In the majority of patients, sTARC and SASSAD or body surface area changed congruently during follow-up. Limitations Data were collected retrospectively. Conclusion sTARC may represent a suitable biomarker for monitoring of AD severity in daily practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]